Golden State Warriors NBA Draft Big Board: 5 Prospects to target
By Tony Pesta
Golden State Warriors NBA Draft: Franz Wagner
The general consensus around Franz Wagner is that there isn’t a general consensus. Scouts and fans seem to be split on how valid the 6’9″ wing will be in the NBA. Yet, I don’t think there is a better place for him to end up than Golden State.
The Warriors have been the perfect place for versatile wings to thrive over the years. Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, Alec Burks, Kelly Oubre, Andrew Wiggins and Juan Toscano-Anderson are just all varying examples of this.
As for Wagner, his ability to shoot the rock, handle the rock, and pass the rock, will bold well for him. He put up 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists last year in Michigan, boasting 47/34/83 shooting splits.
In the right system, Wagner is going to have no problem being a glue guy. He’s simply too skilled at a variety of things to not succeed in a team-oriented system such as the Dubs. For comparison, view the way Nicolas Batum has become an unsung hero for the LA Clippers. This type of fill-in role is exactly what Wagner can play for Golden State.
Questions arise as to how much of a liability he could be on defense. He’s tall for a guard and skinny for a forward. Without elite athleticism, this makes him an awkward tweener at the NBA level. Nonetheless, the Warriors (again) offer the best chance of covering him up within their strong system.