Former Michigan basketball star signs massive NBA deal

It’s funny to look back at when Franz Wagner, a former Michigan basketball star, declared early for the NBA draft after his sophomore season with the Wolverines.

There was a bunch of hate and many people felt that Wagner wasn’t ready for the NBA. But nothing could have been further from the truth. Wagner’s last Michigan basketball game didn’t go how he wanted and he missed a game-winning shot attempt against UCLA to get to the Final Four, but Wagner was incredible for the Wolverines.

Wagner was one of the best two-way players Michigan basketball has had over the past decade and now that he’s performed at an even higher level in the NBA, averaging 19.7 points per game last season to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

The former Michigan standout has shot 33 percent from 3-point range in his career. Last season, his number dipped to 28 percent and he still posted a career high in scoring average. Regardless, the Orlando Magic have seen enough to make Wagner a cornerstone of their franchise and paid him a five-year deal on Friday that could be worth as much as $270 million. It’s the maximum deal Wagner could have signed after three seasons.

This is according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

ESPN Sources: Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has agreed on a five-year, $224 million maximum rookie contract extension – a deal that could become worth as much as $269 million. pic.twitter.com/uWrTFV6hrm

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2024

Both Wagners are back in Orlando

Wagner played two seasons in Ann Arbor and helped Michigan basketball win the outright Big Ten championship during the 2020-21 season. The Wolverines advanced to the Elite 8 that season.

Moe Wagner, another former Michigan basketball star, who led the Wolverines to the Final Four and two Big Ten tournament titles under John Beilein, also signed a two-year $22 million deal to remain with Orlando, meaning the two Wagner brothers will stay teammates.

The older Wagner averaged 10.9 points and 4.3 rebounds last season for the Magic and after a playoff run, the Magic are a team to watch in the NBA next season, featuring a couple of former Michigan stars.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms.