Dajuan Wagner is a free agent. Can he still be a star?

[EGarrett]

I don't know if anyone but me remembers Dajuan Wagner, but he's the kid who averaged 42, 6 and 6 his senior year of high school...including 100 points in a game. He ended up being drafted sixth overall in 2002 by the Cavs.

Anyway, Wagner had a good first season, and even averaged around 24 or 25 points per game in his first months on the team before he was injured.

He's had stomach viruses and other things the past 3 years, and hasn't had a chance to do much. But his contract is up and he's now a restricted free agent.

Should another team try to sign him? Can he still be a star player? The guy is still a scoring machine when healthy, and if he develops a jump shot or passing ability, he could be a star.

So will he be a star? Or is he a wash-out? Should a team like the Nets take a flyer on him? Is he worth the mid-level exception?

[J@3]

I used to be a big Wagner fan when he was in high school but no I don't really see him being a star... he's developed a bad reputation for the way he plays and that's just going to flat out hurt him in the future. Anyone who gave their mid-level exception to him would have to be insane, if he pans out it's a great move but at the moment it's just a risk.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

I'm not too sure, he is going to really have to improve on his jumpshot because the only person that can really still be a good player and shoot a bad percentage is Iverson and I still can't compare him to Iverson. I seen him play alot when he was with Memphis and he should've stayed in Memphis so he would've been more experienced and that injury bug probably wouldn't have plagued him like it did in the NBA.

[air gordon]

6th man at best

[Jugs]

6th man at best

Agreed, but he could be better

does that make a disagreement

[cyanide]

I'd take him, for a small price. He could end up better like Antonio Daniels these days.

[fgrep15]

6th man at best like already said, or a starter in a backcourt with a big PG. He's not a PG, but he's also not even much of a passer at SG. He is fairly decent shooter and slasher, but has terrible shot selection, even shot low percentages in college. His handles are bad for a PG, and good for a SG, though not great. He does not have the quickness, speed or ability to draw contact and fouls like an Iverson, is a pretty bad rebounder, but he is athletic and strong.

I really don't know where he's going to fit, but someone will probably sign him just on the fact that he still has some potential.

[Jackal_]

Wagner is much better than people make him out to be, I'd deffinately keep him on my team as long as he isnt asking for Antoine Walker type cash..

[Kemp]

Wagner never really get the chance to play major minutes to proof himself how great a player he is. Last season, he is a backup G for the Cavs behind McInnis and Snow. Unless he get trade or sign as a free agent. It is hardly to see he can be a star in the NBA.

[Matthew]

If I was Charlotte I'd look into getting him. He's still young, and can develop around May, Emeka and Felton.

[FanOfAll]

He's had some strange injuries occur to him, some bladder and kidney problems. He has a bit of a quick trigger and needs a lot of work in order to make it. I think he will, unfortunately, be buried on a bench somewhere for the rest of his career.

[fgrep15]

I don't like the poll options, I don't think he can be a star, but I also don't think he's just a bust like that. He can be a good rotation player or possible starter, but not a star or bust at this point.

[Boyk]

Always been a fan of Wagner, im really hoping he can get to that Allen Iverson level everyone touted him to be, Ivvy but Stronger they said.

probably wont happen, but i hope he can go somewhere other than the Cavs, i mean they now have Lebron and Hughes, with Snow n Mcinnis running the backcourt.

[Shakes]

22 years old seems a bit young to totally write him off. Although working against him is the fact he was very good very young, so the chances of him being a late developer don't look so high. He might be stuck in a bit of a catch-22 situation: needs game time to improve, wont get gametime until he does improve. Lets face it, going from 29 to 16 to 9 MPG is not a vote of confidence from your coaches, injuries or no injuries ...

Who knows though, with a fresh start elsewhere he could turn it around, sometimes players just need to find the right situation.

[Andrew]

I too believe he can be a key role player, be it a starter or the sixth man, but I don't think he'll be a star; if only because he won't get the opportunity. Mind you, if he can't stay healthy he'll end up out of the league sooner rather than later.

[EZJ]

I would like to see him as 6th man or Starting SG(If Simmons lefts, Maggette on the SF...) of the Clippers. Livingston and Wagner could be a great duo!

[Boyk]

I would like to see him as 6th man or Starting SG(If Simmons lefts, Maggette on the SF...) of the Clippers. Livingston and Wagner could be a great duo!

yes, that would work nicely, coz you wouldnt get hurt defensively, Livingston is 6'8 so he could defend the 2 but play the 1 on O and vice versa for Wagner.

[Do']

we need to forgot him

[Jackal_]

we need to forgot him

No, we need to teach you some grammar

[Matthew]

I too believe he can be a key role player, be it a starter or the sixth man, but I don't think he'll be a star; if only because he won't get the opportunity. Mind you, if he can't stay healthy he'll end up out of the league sooner rather than later.

Thats why I think Charlotte would be a great situation for him. He can get that opportunity to be the man there, and if he's worthy, an important part of their future.

[fgrep15]

yes, that would work nicely, coz you wouldnt get hurt defensively, Livingston is 6'8 so he could defend the 2 but play the 1 on O and vice versa for Wagner.

The backcourt would still be bad defensively. Wagner is a bad defender anyways, so that doesn't help, and Livingston can't yet guard 2's effectively because of his lack of strength.