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Los Angeles Lakers: Moritz Wagner predicted to have tough season

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Moritz Wagner #15 of the the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Moritz Wagner #15 of the the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rookie center Moritz Wagner is predicted to have a rough first season in the NBA.

With the No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Michigan center, Moritz Wagner. The Lakers have had great success in recent years draft near the end of the first round. They are hoping that will happen once again with Wagner. However, over at Bleacher Report, they are thinking that fans should pump their breaks.

Bleacher Report predicted how every first round pick would do in their rookie season. Granted, this was prior to free agency. So, the Lakers, like every other team in the NBA, look different today than when the article was written.

Los Angeles had one of the best offseasons of any team in the league. They landed LeBron James, quickly changing the course of their team for this season and in the future.

James will elevate all of the players around him, which should include Wagner. The Lakers hope, at least, as Wagner was predicted to have a tough rookie season by Bleacher Report.

Wagner is predicted to average only 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.3 blocks in his rookie season. Those aren’t great numbers.

Here is part of what they said about their prediction.

"Talented as Wagner may be, he’ll have trouble carving out a regular role unless he improves substantially on the defensive end. That was a major focus of the Lakers’ 2017-18 efforts, which saw them rise from No. 30 in defensive rating to No. 12 in points allowed per 100 possessions. Playing a glaring liability is antithetical to the intended direction of head coach Luke Walton, no matter how much Wagner’s sharp-shooting prowess may appeal.The Lakers should love the Michigan product’s spot-up ability, especially because he thrived while playing with far less talented creators than Lonzo Ball. He can make an immediate pick-and-pop impact…assuming the Purple and Gold aren’t already getting plenty of offensive production from Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and any free-agency additions. His passing is a plus as well, even if that wasn’t necessarily reflected in his collegiate stat line and emerges more as a dearth of turnovers."

As stated, Wagner leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end of the court. His mobility isn’t great, which leaves him exposed when having to play in space.

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NBA teams will target him constantly in the pick-and-roll given his lack of awareness in those situations. He is athletic enough to hang on the perimeter but is susceptible to foul trouble. He also provides nothing as a rim protector, which will make him difficult to play as the last line of defense.

Offensively, however, he could be deadly. Given the other offensive talent the Lakers have, Wagner could feast on opposing defenses as a complementary option. Defenses will focus on the likes of James, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, leaving great chances for players such as Wagner.

Wagner has the talent to fill a number of roles offensively. He can stretch the court, which is ideal given what the Lakers want to do offensively. Wagner is a capable playmaker, showing good decision making with the ball in his hands. In the post, Wagner has a number of moves to put the ball in the basket.

His offensive versatility is what will get him on the court in the early going. With Brook Lopez and Channing Frye moving on in free agency, Wagner is the best stretch-5 option on the roster. However, his defense will determine how long he stays on the court.

Given some of the defensive deficiencies other players on the roster have, Wagner will need to improve on that end of the court if he wants consistent minutes. Head coach Luke Walton can find spot minutes for him, but if he wants a consistent role, his defense will be key.

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Given the lack of options on the roster and versatility of his teammates, Wagner will have more of a role than originally believed. He should surpass the predicted stats from the article rather easily, especially if he locks down the backup center spot.

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