For the first time in his NBA career, Franz Wagner is entering a season without his brother, Moe, by his side. Following six seasons with the Orlando Magic, Moe signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets this summer.
Franz recently revealed his initial reaction to his brother departing for Brooklyn.
“Moe called me, and 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,” the Magic star told HouseOfMagicOnFox. “So it was a pretty cool moment for him. But at the same time, I think we’re both a little sad his time here has come to an end. I think, though, we're both really grateful for the time we had [together]. To play with a sibling in the NBA for so many years is super special. So we're just grateful for that. But he's in a great spot.
[I'll miss] all the normal moments that you get to spend together. Riding in the car to or from a game, sitting on the plane. I'll miss moments like that. I'm proud to say we made the most of our time together. I think that's how life goes, and I think it's also a good time for us to end that chapter.”
Franz Wagner talking about Moe signing with the Nets:
“He was really happy about his deal in Brooklyn. I knew it was a great situation for him. I know he loves New York… We’re both a little sad his time here has come to an end… But he’s in a great spot.”
(H/T @NetsDaily,… pic.twitter.com/R9UUu2qNg1
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 17, 2026
Franz has emerged as a fringe star during his five seasons with the Magic. The 6-foot-10 wing averaged 22.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists on .468/.310/.853 shooting splits across 94 appearances in the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, Moe cemented himself as a quality backup center early in his Magic tenure before tearing his ACL during the 2024-25 campaign.
Moe Wagner leaves Franz for Nets as questions surrounding Magic's core grow
After trading Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls this summer, the Nets brought in Moe to be their backup center behind Day'Ron Sharpe. His signing comes as Brooklyn looks to return to relevance following two tanking seasons.
“I think they've been very transparent, very honest, very straightforward and that kind of was enough to hear,” Moe said of his motivation for signing with the Nets. “Knowing Jordi [Fernandez] a little bit from the international competitions and hearing about the organization, it really wasn't a decision. It was just a matter of how we're going to do it. I've always loved New York. I love that I get an opportunity to play here and, obviously, at a point where this organization is trying to take the next steps to win. I'm very, very excited to be here.”
Article Continues BelowThe Berlin native said he's considered New York a second home since coming to the United States.
“I'll be honest with you, I've spent a lot of time in New York. This is somewhat of a home to me in America just because it reminds me a lot of where I'm from,” Moe said. “I think Brooklyn is as close to Berlin as you can get in the U.S. So I'm not necessarily new here… I've actually lived here for quite some time. So yeah, I love Brooklyn. I love New York.”
Franz's connection with his brother and Moe's comparison of Brooklyn to Berlin could catch Nets fans' attention. With a league-leading stash of draft picks, the Nets will be in the market for big-name acquisitions in the coming years.
After the Magic's letdown 2025-26 campaign, league circles have questioned whether Orlando will break up its Paolo Banchero-Wagner duo. The Magic made a coaching change this summer, hiring San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney to replace Jamahl Mosley.
If Orlando continues to struggle to find offensive consistency in 2026-27, Wagner's name will frequently come up as a trade candidate. The Nets could be a top destination if the 25-year-old hits the market.