According to a league source who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel, Moe Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract to rejoin the Magic.
After Orlando rejected his $11 million club option for the 2017 season, Wagner, who was having a career-best season before tearing his left ACL in late December, became an unrestricted free agent last Sunday.
Wagner’s anticipated comeback follows the Magic’s acquisition of veteran guard Tyus Jones, a free agency, who played with the Suns the previous season.
With Wagner rejoining the team, Orlando now has 13 players under standard contracts, falling just short of the $195,945,000 first apron expenditure barrier outlined in the league’s relatively recent collective bargaining agreement.
However, because they most likely utilized some of the non-taxpayer mid-level exemption to sign Jones, the Magic are hard-capped at that amount and are not permitted to spend more than that amount for any reason during the upcoming season.
Richardson signed a rookie-scale contract with Orlando on Thursday, and the team is anticipated to sign Noah Penda, a second-round pick, in the next few days.
Wagner’s Bird rights were still held by the Magic, which allowed them to re-sign the backup center who has shown himself to be more than deserving of rejoining the team that has been his home in the NBA.
Teams were able to negotiate with all free agents when NBA free agency opened Monday at 6 p.m. Official free agency signings by teams begin at noon on Sunday.
Wagner is trying to be ready for the start of the upcoming season after suffering a torn left ACL in late December.
That’s a part of the rehabilitation process; you work it out day by day, but naturally, that’s what I’m aiming for. About the next season, Wagner stated in early May. I have a rather optimistic outlook on that.
He set personal records in just 30 games with averages of 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 36% 3-point shooting. He scored in double digits 23 times, 20 points or more twice, and 30 points or more once, including a career-high 32 points against New York on December 15. He is the older brother of the famous Franz Wagner.
However, he is more than just Franz’s brother and a standout player.
Under coach Jamahl Mosley, Moe Wagner has grown to be a vital member of Orlando’s culture both on and off the court.
Wagner recently stated, “We’ve been playing hard ever since we got here.” That’s what Moe represents. I am aware that no one would want to see us even if we lost.
I am aware that it is not a fun night to play the Orlando Magic, and we accept that.
You can contact Jason Beede at [email protected].
