NBA DRAFT

July 29, 2021

Franz Wagner

THE MODERATOR: If you could start out with an opening statement about what you'll bring to your new team, please.

FRANZ WAGNER: A lot of versatility, someone that always wants to learn, always wants to get better, is never satisfied. I'm going to work my butt off in Orlando to become the best basketball player I can be and impact the team's game as much as possible.

Q. What does it feel like to you that you now play with your brother Mo?

FRANZ WAGNER: I mean, I don't know because he's a free agent after this, so technically it's not 100 percent yet. But we talked on the phone right after I got drafted. I couldn't really hear him, but he was super excited for me. I'm really excited, too.

Q. Was that your little brother who held the phone to you?

FRANZ WAGNER: No.

Q. Who was that?

FRANZ WAGNER: No, that was someone from my agency.

Q. But you had the phone and you talked to Mo immediately?

FRANZ WAGNER: Yeah.

Q. What time is it in Tokyo?

FRANZ WAGNER: It's about 9:00, maybe 10:00 in the morning.

Q. You were surprised by Orlando or you had a feeling before that?

FRANZ WAGNER: I mean, I had a good workout there. It was kind of in my range, what we thought, me and my agent. I had a good workout there. I felt good about it. But at the end of the day, you never really know until they say your name.

Q. Your mom and your dad are here, too, so what does it mean that you have this moment that you can share with them?

FRANZ WAGNER: It means a lot. For them to come over from Germany -- and my mom has been here for a couple weeks now -- was really cool for me. This is their second time around at the draft. I think we were all just as nervous as the first time, but I think we had a good time.

Q. You're going to go back to Germany soon or are you just going straight to Orlando?

FRANZ WAGNER: Yeah, I've probably got to go straight to Orlando. I'm not sure what happens after. We've got Summer League first. So yeah, probably not.

Q. With the addition of Jalen Suggs and you playing the forward position, this team desperately needs some scoring output. Are you a pass-first or a decision-maker when it comes to shooting buckets? What will you bring to the forward position?

FRANZ WAGNER: I think I can score the ball really well. I also think I can pass really well and make decisions and create for other people. At least I hope I can do that in the NBA. I think shooting is going to be really important for me at the next level and showing that I can spread the floor. I think guys like Cole Anthony or Jalen are great creators off the dribble and for other people.

Q. You're also a hell of a defender. When Jonathan Isaac comes back, with the addition Suggs, Cole Anthony and a healthy Markelle Fultz, how explosive do you think this team can be?

FRANZ WAGNER: Really explosive. I think those are all really mobile, really athletic players that can guard multiple positions. At the end of the day, that's what you want. Hopefully we can get together and play really good defense because I think that's the most important thing when you want to be a successful team.

Q. I know today is only day one of your NBA career, but what legacy do you want to leave behind when you finish your career?

FRANZ WAGNER: I want to be known as a great teammate and someone that goes about his business like a professional, comes in early and gets his work done and is never satisfied with himself. I want to have the same kind of work ethic that I have now, even in 15 years, however my career goes. I hope I can improve every day and even do that in the next couple years.

Q. In your pre-draft process you talked about playing against your brother Mo and you said that playing against him is a pain in the ass. But now you are teammates with him, so what's that feeling like of getting drafted first of all but now playing alongside your brother?

FRANZ WAGNER: I just said it, I'm pretty sure he's a free agent next season, or at least this offseason. I would love to play with Mo. I think we'd have a good chemistry on and off the court and it would be cool just to be with my brother, but I think he's a free agent right now.

Q. Obviously you're a German international and of course it's a cliche question, but the great Dirk Nowitzki was the first kind of major European to come over here to the States. Have you spoken to him in this process at all?

FRANZ WAGNER: I have not. I have never met with Dirk. But yeah, he's definitely someone that I really look up to and that has inspired not just me but basically every young German basketball player.