NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting small forwards for 2023-24

13. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Over the last couple of seasons, Franz Wagner has quietly been a bit part of the Orlando Magic’s emergence as a young team in the Eastern Conference. Two seasons ago, he was somewhat of a surprising rookie talent. Even though he was taken in the top 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft, I’m not sure there were many people who believed he would be this good this fast. During his second season in the league, he averaged 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 49 percent shooting from the field.

Even though Paolo Banchero stole many of the headlines for the Magic this past season, and rightfully so, Wagner is a player who shouldn’t be overlooked as a key cog for Orlando heading into the future. And Wagner is easily one of the better young small forwards in the league today.

The big question is how good can he be? Can he be a star? Could Wagner make the jump to superstardom in a couple of seasons?