Los Angeles Lakers: 3 free agents LA will regret not signing

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers stands with Moritz Wagner #15, one of the team's 2018 NBA draft picks, during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers stands with Moritz Wagner #15, one of the team's 2018 NBA draft picks, during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Moritz Wagner

Here is one who gets criminally underrated.

Wagner is a former first-round selection of the Los Angeles Lakers who got lost in the moves that brought Anthony Davis to LA in 2019, ending up traded to the Washington Wizards.

The German is a young, energetic big guy who provides 3-point shooting, toughness and enthusiasm. But despite some strong showing, at just 22 years old, he bounced around the league not receiving the consideration he deserves.

In Washington, he immediately provided good production early in his day as a Wizard (12 points per game, 43.2 percent from three), before falling out of rotations. He could have gotten another shot this past season when Thomas Bryant went down with an injury and Wagner stepped up in his place.

But he got traded to Boston, where almost did not play and soon got waived, consequently signing a minimum contract with the Orlando Magic, where he proved once more his value before becoming a free agent (11.9 points per game, 38.1 percent from three).

Even with his national team, Wagner helped Germany to qualify for the Olympics with a 28-point performance and was the most efficient scorer for his team in the tournament, shooting 50 percent from three.

Adding size and floor-spacing by bringing back their former pick, would have been a good addition for the purple and gold, coming on the desired minimum contract, given the scarce appreciation Wagner receives around the league.

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But as the Magic drafted his brother Franz, Moritz was bound to receive an offer to stay in Orlando, as it actually happened, and he accepted it. The numbers have not been disclosed.