Moritz

Wagner

Wagner has long been a per minute monster and this has been his best game of the season. He’s gotten more comfortable in the Nets system and his minutes have started to increase over the past few games. In redraft leagues, he is worth a stream if you need some rebounds, but his ceiling is capped by Day’Ron Sharpe. It would require an injury for his role to increase.

The Nets didn’t have Day’Ron Sharpe for Thursday’s exhibition, so Wagner moved into the starting lineup after coming off the bench on Tuesday. The veteran forward/center logged 18 minutes, though foul trouble limited his time on the floor. A healthy Sharpe makes Wagner a non-factor in most fantasy leagues, but he’s likely to be worth streaming at times.

Wagner has been in the NBA for eight years and only played at least 50 games in a season three times. His production fell off last season with the Magic as he averaged just 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds, which were both career-lows. Orlando seemed prepared to lose Wagner in free agency, making Goga Bitadze off-limits in trades and adding Nikola Vucevic as a free agent. Wagner joins a Nets squad that went 20-62 last year. He’ll come off the bench behind Julius Randle in Brooklyn.

Carter has been listed as doubtful to return with about six minutes left in this game. Goga Bitadze is in the game to close things out, though Moritz Wagner may also see an uptick in minutes if Carter ends up missing more time beyond this.

Cater is back after sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Hornets. His return means that Goga Bitadze, who logged 19 minutes on Thursday, will head to the bench. Moritz Wagner should remain in the backup center role.

Carter did not play in Thursday’s loss to the Hornets, sitting out due to a rib contusion. Goga Bitadze started but only played 19 minutes, with reserve Moritz Wagner also playing 19 minutes. That isn’t enough for either to offer reliable streaming value, especially with the Magic willing to go small for extended periods if needed.

WCJ is a late addition to the injury report, and his absence means Goga Bitadze could earn a spot start with Moritz Wagner backing him up. Bitadze has averaged 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks across two starts this season.

Carter was a very late addition to the injury report and will now officially be unavailable. Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner should fill out the center minutes for this game.

Wagner made his season debut less than two weeks ago, so this was his highest scoring performance since 2024. He was an excellent reserve scoring option for the Magic to start last year before tearing his ACL. This was a new season high for him in just 15 minutes. He’ll continue to be a reliable scoring option off the bench, but with Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze both healthy, he won’t play enough minutes to provide value in standard leagues.

WCJ is good to go for Thursday’s game in Berlin, and he could slot back into the starting lineup. His return should mean fewer minutes for Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner.