Moritz Wagner is once again a free agent. The Orlando Magic did not exercise their team option worth over eleven million dollars. What happens next is still open.
According to multiple media reports, the Magic have not exercised their team option worth $11 million for the 2025/26 season, but Orlando retains the “Bird Rights” for the Berlin native and can therefore make an offer without affecting its own cap space.
Translated, this means that Orlando has financial freedom. According to Michael Scotto (HoopsHype), the Magic are interested in signing Wagner to a new contract. The German is currently undergoing rehabilitation training after tearing his cruciate ligament in December. For this reason, the national player will not be traveling with the DBB to the European Championships.
Before his injury, Wagner had played his best season as sixth man in Orlando. In an average of 18.8 minutes, the 28-year-old scored 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, while the big man sank 56.2 percent of his shots.
Wagner relaxed ahead of free agency
Just a few weeks ago, Wagner seemed relaxed about his unclear contract situation. “I used to be really stressed because I didn’t know my own worth. That’s changed in the last two years,” Wagner said on the OMR podcast. “I’ve developed confidence in my abilities and I know that I’m good, even compared to other players.”
Most recently, GM Jeff Weltman hinted that there could be “tough decisions” in the summer, as Orlando no longer has the financial flexibility it had in previous years following the trade of Desmond Bane. However, given Wagner’s important role, it is likely that the Magic will try to re-sign the Berlin native with a new contract.
