1. Moritz Wagner
With their first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Michigan center, Moritz Wagner. Wagner has not played much in his rookie season, but that should change the remainder of the season.
Wagner has been stuck behind veterans JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler throughout the season. Before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Ivica Zubac was also ahead of him on the depth chart. With Zubac across the hallway and winning no longer the No. 1 priority, it is time for Wagner to show what he’s got.
He has played very well in the previous two games, getting put into the rotation as Luke Walton was looking for a spark. Wagner provided it and should be given every opportunity to continue doing so.
Wagner stepped into the starting lineup for the injured Kyle Kuzma against the Boston Celtics and should remain there as long as Kuzma is sidelined.
He has his flaws, specifically defensively. He struggled on that end of the court in college and is still learning in the NBA. However, his diverse offensive game and ability to stretch the floor is enough to get him on the court already.
The final games of the season should be used to see where Wagner, specifically, needs to improve this offseason. Playing veterans such as McGee and Chandler at his expense makes no sense at this point in the season, so Wagner should see his minutes continue trending up the final five weeks of the season.