Moritz Wagner has recently joined the Brooklyn Nets, marking the end of his collaboration with his brother, Franz Wagner, on the Orlando Magic team. The two brothers have achieved significant success with the German national team in recent years, winning championships in world competitions and the Olympics.
Successes of the Wagner Brothers
In 2023, Moritz and Franz became world champions with the German national team and participated in the Paris Olympic Games a year later. In 2025, Franz won the European Championship while Moritz was absent due to injury. Now, with their separation, German basketball fans must prepare for a new season.
New Challenges for Moritz and Franz
After not renewing his contract with Orlando, Moritz joined the Brooklyn Nets and is living in New York with his fiancée, Maggie McGraw. He said about this transfer: "This call from the Nets was a huge opportunity for me, and I feel this move is the right one." Moritz noted the similarities between Brooklyn and Berlin, stating that it feels like a home for him in America.
On the other hand, Franz has remained in Orlando and, as one of the stars of the team, is working alongside Paolo Banchero to lead the team to greater successes. Franz is now under a big contract with the team until 2030 and hopes that with the new coaching system of Stan Van Gundy, the team will reach the second round of the playoffs.
In an interview about his brother's departure, Franz said: "We are both a little sad that our collaboration has come to an end, but we are very grateful for the time we played together in the NBA. Playing with a brother in the NBA is something very special." This separation will have an impact not only on the brothers themselves but also on German basketball fans.
In the upcoming season, German basketball fans will likely need to choose new favorites. With eight German players in the NBA for the 2026/27 season, interest and attention towards different teams will increase. Dennis Schröder, the captain of the German national team, has now joined the Charlotte Hornets and will play alongside two young German players, Hans Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr.
Schröder, who is in his fourteenth year in the NBA, is striving to help the two young players this season as an experienced player. He said in an interview: "I am an experienced player and I am trying to help these two young guys this season and make it easier for them." This season could be a great opportunity for the growth and development of young German players in the NBA.
