Orlando Magic Breaking News: Franz Wagner Signs $224 Million Rookie Max Extension

ORLANDO– The Orlando Magic front office has officially made its most significant offseason move by signing Franz Wagner to a five-year $224 million max contract, according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wagner is the first player Orlando has signed to a rookie max deal in 17 years, and his price tag is much heftier than Dwight Howard’s five-year $85 million contract from back then.

Alongside Paolo Banchero, Wagner is a core piece of the Magic’s future. The two look like the best young duo since the Boston Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. 

Since being drafted No. 8 in 2021, Wagner has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 17.8 points in his first three seasons. It seemed less of a question of whether the team would sign Wagner long-term and more of a matter of when. 

Now, the 22-year-old is cemented as a part of this young core’s future. Wagner has shown All-Star potential at times but came up short this postseason as he struggled in his first playoff appearance. 

Earlier this week, his older brother Moe Wagner signed a two-year $22 million contract. Franz's signing today suggests that the Wagner brothers will remain united for years to come. 

After the two both played an integral role in helping Orlando make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, the hope is that they will continue to grow into more significant roles with these bigger paydays. 

The best may still be yet to come for Franz Wagner, considering that his scoring output has increased in each of his three seasons, but last year, his three-point shooting took a step back. If the young star can find his stroke from deep and continue ascending, this promising young Magic core could reach heights unseen since the Dwight Howard era in Orlando.