NBA Mock Draft: Orlando Magic make two surprise selections

6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Franz Wagner, F, University of Michigan

The Oklahoma City Thunder, much like the Magic, will probably feel like they came up rather unlucky in last week’s lottery draw ceremony.

Franz Wagner reminds me a lot of Mikal Bridges when I watch him play. A 3-and-D guy who knows his role, and is a plus defender.

If we compare their sophomore years (Bridges played three years at Villanova whereas Wagner is leaving Michigan after two), the shooting splits are pretty similar.

As a sophomore, Bridges shot splits of 69/39/91 on 6.5 field goal attempts per game. Wagner meanwhile, shot splits of 56/34/85 on nine field-goal attempts per game.

Yes, Bridges may be a better shooter, but Wagner’s ability as a cutter as well as his intelligence as a defender is what gives him the potential to be an impactful player in the NBA even if he is nothing more than a complementary piece to a team searching for more star power.

Not every player can be a star, but players who know their role and are extremely intelligent in terms of spacing awareness usually are the kind of guys with intangibles that you can’t coach that are also extremely invaluable.

Wagner may not be the piece that brings the Thunder close to contention, but you can bet your bottom dollar that he will be a difference-maker for them when they get the right star next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, similar to how Bridges has been invaluable to the Phoenix Suns run this postseason.