DHJ Quick Take: Brooklyn Nets Have Interest in Moritz Wagner
The Brooklyn Nets are among the teams interested in free-agent center Moritz Wagner, who looks likely to leave Orlando as the Magic brace for his exit.
- What is the interest? Brooklyn has checked in on Wagner, an unrestricted free agent after a season with Orlando.
- Why is Wagner available? The Magic are bracing to lose him, re-signing Jonathan Isaac and holding Goga Bitadze rather than trading him.
- Why does Brooklyn fit? The Nets need a backup center after dealing Nic Claxton and carry the cap space to sign one.
- What’s next? With free agency opening, Wagner is weighing interest from multiple teams, Brooklyn among them.
The Brooklyn Nets have registered interest in free-agent center Moritz Wagner, Dallas Hoops Journal has learned.
Wagner reached unrestricted free agency with the Orlando Magic this summer, and Brooklyn is among the teams keeping tabs on him. A backup big sits high on the Nets’ to-do list after Nic Claxton’s departure to the Chicago Bulls, and the front office has the means to act.
Brooklyn carries among the most cap room in the league, money that lets it chase free agents outright rather than work the margins as it reshapes its frontcourt around the incoming Julius Randle.
Orlando Magic Brace for Moritz Wagner’s Exit
Orlando, for its part, is preparing in case they lose him, Dallas Hoops Journal is told. The Magic are expected to re-sign Jonathan Isaac, who cleared waivers Monday after being released without a stretch provision, a setup that is expected to point back toward signing a new deal to return.
They’ve also kept Goga Bitadze in place rather than deal him, with the trade chatter that trailed the backup big for much of the year quieting as Orlando guards against going thin up front. Each move points to a team preparing for Wagner’s departure, which is what puts him in play for Brooklyn to begin with.
What Moritz Wagner Would Give Brooklyn
Wagner’s 2025-26 run was slowed by the aftermath of a torn left ACL that needed surgery in January 2025. He appeared in 36 games and averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in just under 12 minutes a night, well off the career-best pace he set as a scorer before the injury.
Offensively, he brings dependable free-throw shooting north of 80% and enough range to stretch into pick-and-pop looks, though his defense, particularly at the rim, has long been the knock.
More NBA Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Sources: Jock Landale Returning to Atlanta Hawks On $14 Million Deal
- Sources: Robert Williams III To Re-Sign With Portland Trail Blazers On Multi-Year Deal
- Sources: Luke Kennard Drawing Strong Interest From Phoenix Suns
- Sources: Golden State Warriors Prefer Signing LeBron James Without Trading For Anthony Davis
- Sources: Houston Rockets Favorites To Sign Marcus Smart In Free Agency
- Sources: Gary Trent Jr. Trending Toward Multi-Year Deal With Milwaukee Bucks
- Sources: Los Angeles Lakers Among Teams Targeting Sandro Mamukelashvili In Free Agency
- Sources: Toronto Raptors Favored To Land Kawhi Leonard, Dallas Mavericks Unlikely
- Sources: Chicago Bulls Emerging As Suitor To Watch For Normal Powell
- Sources: Miami Heat Monitoring Tim Hardaway Jr. Among Free Agent Targets
- Memphis Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant To Portland Trail Blazers
