Why hasnt Wagner declared for NBA yet?
Beginning of this season, I had Wagner as 99% likely to head to the NBA after the 2021 NCAA season. Now I have him at 95% likely to leave. Why the slightly increased chance he sticks around considering he's projected to be an NBA lottery pick? Two reasons pop into my mind:
1. Wagner's final game at UM, vs UCLA, was likely the worst game he has ever played at UM. It may be eating at his ego. Perhaps he would prefer to have a more successful final game at UM.
2. His family certainly doesn't need the money. His older brother has made millions in the NBA. He is close with his older brother. Franz lived in Moe's home for months during the covid scare.
Like I said, 95% chance he leaves for the NBA in a few weeks, but I think the chances have slightly improved he sticks around. I have strong suspicion that ugly UCLA game is percolating in the back of his mind.
If he's anything like his brother he probably fucking loves college too.
April 26th, 2021 at 10:56 PM ^
Not saying you’re wrong, but loving college over the past two years would take real dedication.
That 4ppt slide is not statistically significant.
Unfortunately I believe it is:
3. He is a very serious student (4.0) and is waiting until he finishes classes to announce his decision with all the distractions that will come from entering the draft.
This from the insiders I hear on the free podcasts. They do not know 100% but highly suspect he is gone.
Franz is still projected in the top 18 of most mock drafts I've seen.
Reasons to stay:
- that last game is something I think does bother him
- he is actually still pretty young, so staying another year isn't as much of an issue as it is with others.
- i believe I read that Mo did buy a place in AA; clearly the Wagner's do have an affinity for AA
Reasons to go:
- risk of injury. Liver's experience should give him pause
- he's pretty much a lock to be a first round, top 20 pick
I think Michigan reaching out to Jones is the potential open spot that would open in the event of Wagner leaving.... I would love to see Franz come back for selfish reasons, but I think that he should go to guarantee his future.
As much as I like your reasons to stay, the last game doesn't matter. After the 93 final I ran into Juwan on campus and asked him if Chris was really going.
"They're talking about a lot of money, man."
Beyond the money, these fine gents want nothing more than to be pros - no matter how they finished, how they studented, etc. The NBA is their collective dream gig. You don't say no when your dream gig calls.
Agreed. Now, how the hell do we explain what's happened seemingly a few times now, down the road in East Lansing?!
April 25th, 2021 at 10:52 PM ^
Stockholm syndrome.
April 25th, 2021 at 11:23 PM ^
Someone getting into their ears with really bad advice?
April 26th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
It depends how many spaces he can move up the draft list from this year's draft to next. Rookie contracts are slotted. If he can move up enough, not even into the lottery, he can substantially increase the total amount received on his rookie contract, in which case it might make financial sense to return. Of course, he does have to factor in the risk of injury and who else is coming out next year etc. in making his decision. It's not a cut-and-dried "pay me now." consideration.
Here's last year's contracts. They're pretty interesting.
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/11/rookie-scale-salaries-for-2020-nba-first-round-picks.html
The fact that he is only 19 makes me think he leaning on coming back . Play another year and be only 20 when drafted and have played 3 years
Tough decision for sure. I think another year in Juwans system sees him take his game to another level, which would not only make him a high pick but would also help him stay in the league longer. I think you really have to get on the right team with the right coach if you still have things to improve upon. Either way, his future is bright!
April 26th, 2021 at 12:17 AM ^
It's likely not a tough decision and definitely not for the opportunity to get better...if it's a tough decision it's because he likes college and wants another shot, he's not going to all of a sudden be top 5 pick.
People act like guys stop improving once they get to the NBA. You have MORE time to practice and get better, train, and play against better competition in the NBA.
You don't have to go to class and there are no rules about practice like the NCAA has.
Duncan Robinson is a great example. Caris Levert another.
You have more time, but so does everyone else. It's a cutthroat business. Stauskas was a lotto pick and is out of the league now.
(For that matter, Moe is out of the league also.)
He gone.
It would be quite shocking if he were to stay. Being the same age as many freshman who are declaring gives him some room to stay an extra year. I do know he wanted a college experience, and with Covid he hasn’t really had that yet. But that experience will cost him millions in salary unless he’s able to Improve his stock, which is already sniffing the top 10 range.
I expect him to go, and given that Howard is contacting transfers, I think he does too. (If I’m not mistaken, we only have room for a transfer of Wagner leaves.)
(If I’m not mistaken, we only have room for a transfer of Wagner leaves.)
Can we take Jace off scholarship if the need arises? Not saying it's deserved, just wondering.
Hell no, we don't want to go around pissing his dad off. Give Howard 2 scholarships is what I say.
I think the "we" in question is Juwan here. The AD doesn't decide who gets scholarship offers.
He has his reasons for delaying an announcement but 99% still likely he's gone!
I mean his brothers pro career would make me more likely to go pro and get my check (especially if it’s projected lottery!). I love mo but he has been traded three times this year and I’m not sure how much longer he can stick on a nba roster.
If Mo can get to a team like the Heat that actually invests in their youth instead of those who view young players simply as trade chips he can definitely stick in the NBA. He is very skilled and mobile. Just needs the right team to take a chance.
I know he is one of our own but I always thought he wouldn't last in the NBA. I'm happy he has made it this long though and collected a few million.
April 25th, 2021 at 10:56 PM ^
Mo currently is not on an NBA roster
April 26th, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
That's right he got waived by the Celtics on the 16th.
In any event, today, April 26, is Mo's birthday!! Make it a good one!!
3. Softball
you knew it was coming
You can't have one without the other!
Specifically to get your hopes up
April 25th, 2021 at 11:48 PM ^
3. Profit
April 26th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
Prophet.
Just my humble opinion but he’d be foolish to come back. He’s projected in many circles as a lottery pick, and there are on guarantees for next year.
Go get paid.
This. Nothing else to show. He is A+ defender on the wing with an ability to get to the bucket. His 3 point shot is a little slow and has a low release, but another year to work on that in college is not going to move the needle much. I always think kids so go get the money when they can. Franz can get paid. Another year at Michigan would be awesome as a fan, but I don't see it increasing his draft stock.
He is an A+ defender but I’m not sure what that has to do with playing in the NBA.?
Juwan will pack Franz's bags for him. Dude's played in the league and understands the spot Franz is in and that he's gotta go take that guaranteed money as a lottery pick.
I had Wagner as 99% likely to head to the NBA after the 2021 NCAA season. Now I have him at 95% likely to leave.
This is the in-depth analysis and advanced metrics I come here for.
You know what fixes “an ego”, which Franz doesn’t really come Off as being centered upon?? Getting drafted in the lottery of the NBA draft. He’s gone to the NBA and appropriately SO.
It's not gonna happen (go get paid young man) but man, a starting 5 of:
PG: Brooks
SG: Wagner
SF: Houstan
PF: Johns
C: Dickinson
would a LOT of fun.
The things this site gets obsessed with sometimes, stay or go, Franz still isn't playing the 2 next year.
April 25th, 2021 at 10:12 PM ^
Agreed its not a great fit but he could defend most 2s. Probably your closing line up at least if you want the best 5 on the floor.
This is how desperate I am for basketball to stay and football to stay away. Arguing ridiculous things for no reason.
April 25th, 2021 at 11:04 PM ^
My bad. Only your opinions are worth sharing.
April 27th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
Wow.. This is quite the d**k statement. The dude was just sharing what he believed would be a cool lineup. If you have your own opinion, you're free to list your own cool statement too. Hopefully you get down-voted into Bolivia for being an a**hole.
That’s not how drafts work, duh. They tell YOU when you have to go. That’s the whole point.
/s
AIRBALLLL
As much as I and most here think he'll go NBA, I'm sure another season playing for Michigan would bring a lot of smiles to Wolverine basketball fans.
Especially since it means another season of occasionally having Mom Wagner sightings.
The boards obsession with Wagner's mom is fucking creepy imo.