Scottie Barnes and Franz Wagner have both impressed many this year. Two rookies that were both taken in the lottery that haven’t looked back. In this article, I am breaking down which player I would rather start a franchise with and why.
Case for Barnes:
Coming into the draft, Barnes was the more impressive player in college. He was selected fourth while Wagner went eighth. Both have validated their draft positions.
First of all, Scottie has all the physical tools at 6’7” with a 7’3” wingspan to succeed. These tools help him as a driver as he can get his shot off over rim-protectors. Barnes does have a ways to go. In a previous article, I broke down how he needs to become less predictable. On the bright side, these are things that can be taught.
It is possible to teach someone to add a euro-step. It is not possible to teach someone to have a ridiculous wingspan. That is something Barnes will forever have an edge on. He is more than just an athlete too. He is a good decision-maker with the ball. His instincts as a passer are impressive and he finds where the ball needs to go and executes.
Barnes is also a strong defender. The aforementioned physical tools give him some leeway for error and the ability to recover.
Scottie Barnes with the block ?. #GamblingTwitter #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/4ZmuRdgCfB
— FLEE TV ™ (@FLEESPORTS) October 13, 2021
Sometimes though, Barnes needs to get in a stance and use angles to his advantage against quicker guards. Again, this is something that he can learn.
The jump shot is a work in progress as well (30.6% from three). He does not get much rotation on his shot, but the foundation is solid. He has good balance and he can improve and become a capable spot-up threat.
In essence, there is a lot to like about Scottie Barnes. Then even what’s not appealing on film right now, this can all be worked on and improved over time.
Case for Wagner:
Franz was quiet at Michigan, having many pedestrian performances, especially against quality competition. There was still a lot to like, but we have seen a new side of Wagner’s game in the NBA.
In the offseason, it appears to look like Wagner made an emphasis on improving his ball-handling. Now he can play as a wing at 6’10”. Franz is also quick for his size, which makes him a mismatch against most players.
He has also shown he can be utilized as a playmaker out of the pick and roll. Wagner can read the defense and is only getting better in this department. He is particularly good at throwing that lob pass to the rolling big man.
It is evident how he’s always under control and can get his own shot as well. When going downhill as a driver, he covers ground so well, not wasting time, and creating space.
Franz Wagner secures the Orlando Magic win in the CLUTCH!
— RK (@beyondtheRK) January 15, 2022
back-to-back plays involving brotherly clearout elbow handoffs ?
• Franz slips past two defenders in P&R with the hesi and euro-step down baseline for the finger-roll
• Franz FLOATA after drawing Plumlee on switch pic.twitter.com/CatBcIIn7X
Certain players just come in and are incredibly crafty. Wagner is one of those. Having a diverse portfolio as a driver gives him the edge over Barnes in this department.
Franz has also shown he can space the floor shooting 35.0% from three. He is better off the catch right now and has strong mechanics. For him, it’s always been a confidence thing. The next step will be becoming more comfortable shooting off the bounce. This skill will make him even more lethal out of the pick and roll.
Defensively, Wagner is not as dominant as Barnes. He can’t change the game on this end the same way. Despite this, Wagner does have underrated lateral quickness and uses angles well. He isn’t going to lock down the best, but he has shown an ability to contain opposing players and still make it difficult on them.
Verdict of Barnes vs Wagner
These two players have a high IQ; both good cutters and make intelligent plays. They have team-first mentalities and will play their role.
This was a great draft class coming in, and it looks even better than anticipated in large part to these players’ contributions.
When it comes to who I am starting a franchise with, I am taking Franz Wagner. This choice may seem like the safer pick now to many. I mean, Barnes has all the physical tools and can certainly get better, but so can Wagner.
Franz can continue to improve as a shooter along with other areas of his game. Just in this past offseason alone, he has improved drastically since college. His confidence is only growing, and I think he is still too passive.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley needs to keep encouraging Wagner to be aggressive as the rook shoots less than 13 shots a game… why? It is a rebuilding situation, and he is the most promising prospect in Orlando right now.
I mention this because there is still much more to Wagner’s game that we have not seen yet. Franz Wagner will become an all-star… I can not say the same about Scottie Barnes.
