NBA Free Agency: Mo Wagner returns to Orlando Magic on two-year, $16 million deal

Former Michigan star forward Mo Wagner made his free agency decision on Saturday afternoon. He’ll be returning to the Orlando Magic on a two-year, $16 million deal, his agent Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wagner averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Magic last year.

During his pro career, Wagner has spent time with six different teams: Alba Berlin, the Los Angeles Lakers, the South Bay Lakers, the Washington Wizards, the Boston Celtics, and the Orlando Magic. Last year, Wagner averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists with the Magic. He played some of the best basketball of his career, pouring in a season-high 24 points in his third game with Orlando.

During his college career with Michigan, Wagner became the 54th Wolverine to score more than 1,000 points. He also helped guide the Wolverines to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 in 2017 and the Elite Eight in 2018.

In 2018, he earned second team All-Big Ten honors, after he averaged a team-best 14.6 points per game. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding (7.1 rebounds per game). The German also was named the Most Outstanding Player for the Big Ten Tournament in 2018. In 2017, he earned honorable mention BIg Ten honors after averaging 12.1 points.

Mo Wagner was involved in a melee with Killian Hayes

On December 29th, 2022, Wagner was suspended by the NBA for two games without pay due to an altercation with Pistons’ guard Killian Hayes.

Both players were scrambling for a loose ball near the Pistons bench near the end of the second quarter. The ball rolled out of bounds and that’s when things got wild. Wagner decided to give Hayes a hard shove into the Detroit bench. A melee then ensued with multiple players from each team being involved.

Wagner then got pushed into the Pistons bench by Detroit’s Hamidou Diallo, and that’s when Hayes decided to take a mild punch at the back of Wagner’s head. All three players were eventually ejected for their involvement in the melee.

Both benches were cleared in the fight and the teams eventually had to be separated. Several players from Orlando left their bench area. Both coaches helped to de-escalate the situation from getting worse than it did.

Following a lengthy review, Wagner was assessed a flagrant two foul, which resulted in an ejection. Hayes and Diallo were also ejected.

The Pistons won the game 121-101. Before getting ejected, Wagner stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, four rebounds, and one assist.