Brooklyn’s rebuild has a new wrinkle, and it comes with a familiar last name. Mo Wagner is in the mix with the Nets after leaving Orlando, and the move has clearly landed with his younger brother, Franz Wagner, who called the decision “bittersweet” in a recent interview on House of Magic On Fox.
“He called me. It was bittersweet because he was really happy about his deal in Brooklyn.
I knew it was a great situation for him. I know he loves New York, so [it’s a] pretty cool moment for him,” Franz said.
That’s the emotional center of this story: one brother moving on to a new team, the other recognizing both the opportunity and the end of a long run together. Mo spent most of the last six seasons with Franz in Orlando, and Franz made it clear that losing that shared stretch hit both sides a little.
“At the same time, I think we're both a little sad that the time here [in Orlando] has come to an end for him,” Franz continued. “So, I think we're both really grateful for the time that we had to play with [each other].
[Playing with your] sibling in the NBA for so many years is super special, and so, we're just grateful for that. He's in a great spot, so I was really happy for him.”
Mo, 29, arrived in Brooklyn looking for a bigger role, and the first signs have been encouraging. In 36 games last season, he averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 42.6% from the field and 31.4% from three. His preseason with the Nets offered a sharper version of that production, as he put up 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 59.1% from the floor and 40.0% from deep.
The contract reflects Brooklyn’s interest in seeing what he can bring beyond this year. Wagner signed a two-year, $19 million deal with a mutual option for the second season, giving him a path to remain with the Nets next season if both sides want it. Mo has already spoken positively about the organization, even if his departure left Franz with mixed feelings.
In Other News...
Ben Simmons Just Added Painful Context To Brooklyn's Failed Big Three
Ben Simmons latest comments in an ESPN documentary add a painful layer of context to one of the more disappointing eras in Brooklyns recent history. Around the time he was traded to the Nets in February 2022, Simmons was dealing with a severe back injury, a setback that complicated an already difficult transition and kept him from contributing when the team was hoping he could help steady its top-end talent.
The injury situation only grew worse from there, with back surgery following in May 2022 and another major setback later in his career after he signed with Sacramento in 2026. Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon in practice, ending his 2026-27 season before it started, a reminder of how injuries have continually reshaped both his recovery and the what-ifs attached to Brooklyns failed Big Three. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Rookie Situation Just Got More Interesting Before Opening Night
Brooklyns rookie picture took a useful turn in the final days before opening night, with Joshua Jefferson moving back into the mix after dealing with back stiffness. Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said Jefferson went through practice fully, a good sign after he had been limited earlier in the week as the team worked through its final preseason preparations.
The update gives the Nets a little more flexibility heading into the opener against the Charlotte Hornets, especially with roster spots and early rotation decisions still taking shape. It also comes with a complication, since fellow rookie Tyler Bilodeau will not be available because of a sprained right shoulder, leaving Brooklyn to sort through its first look at the class with one piece back and another still sidelined. [Read more 🡒]
Moe Wagner Just Gave Nets Fans A Fresh Reason To Notice Him
Moe Wagners move to Brooklyn comes with the kind of personal layer that often gets lost in the churn of summer roster news. After six seasons with the Orlando Magic, the veteran big man has landed with the Nets on a two-year deal, bringing experience and frontcourt depth to a team that can use both. For Brooklyn, it is a straightforward addition on paper, but for Wagner it is also a chance to reset in a place that already feels familiar.
He described Brooklyn as a second home, a feeling tied to how it reminds him of Berlin, and he sounded genuinely eager to settle in as a backup center. On the other side of the family equation, Franz Wagner made clear the departure carried a bittersweet edge, even as he reflected on the time the brothers spent sharing the floor. For the Nets, the emotional backdrop is secondary to the basketball fit, but it still makes Wagner an arrival worth watching as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]