Fantasy Basketball Injury Alert: Franz Wagner Out Indefinitely for Orlando

More NBA injury news just dropped as now Orlando's Franz Wagner is supposed to miss some time with an ankle injury. We'll go over what that injury means in the real world and for fantasy basketball too.

Also be sure to check out the story on Kyrie Irving - he's out for the season now.

Fantasy basketball injury news can be found all season on FantasySP.

Wagner's Injury and Other Numbers

Wagner is going to be sidelined indefinitely after recent tests showed that he requires additional time and rehabilitation for soreness from his left high ankle sprain he suffered earlier in the season.

He will be re-evaluated in about three weeks, according to the Magic.

Wagner suffered the ankle sprain on December 7. He has missed 25 of the team's last 29 games, and now obviously will be out even longer.

Wagner has played in just 28 games (26 starts) this season. He's averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks over 31.8 minutes a contest. Wagner is shooting 47.9% overall and is 36.5% from 3-point land.

Wagner averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks over 33.7 minutes a game in 60 games last season. That dropoff this season has hurt Orlando, but the team's concern is the long-term health of Wagner, so hopefully a little more time off will do him well.

How to Approach Wagner

For the fantasy basketball owners who can stash Wagner in an injured reserve spot, simply do that for the next three or so weeks. He still is producing good fantasy results despite a dropoff from last season, so he's worth holding on to.

Those of you not able to stash Wagner and who need more fantasy help immediately, that's where things get tricky. He's too good of a fantasy asset to simply drop, and trading him away means you would be selling low on him.

However, if your fantasy team needs help over the next three weeks, maybe trading Wagner away low is the best choice for you. You can add a fantasy asset or two who could help you in the meantime, and your concerns over Wagner are also gone then.

Again, I'd do my best to hold on to Wagner through the injury, but those frustrated or needing more help now might need to make a tough call here soon.

Outlook for the Magic

In the real world, this is a blow to Orlando and its playoff hopes this season. The Magic are still likely to make the postseason, but with the season winding down quickly, time is running out to get things clicking on all cylinders.

The Magic have enough talent to get by without Wagner, but the team is definitely not as good without him. It will take a team effort to get the job done, and that means the fantasy outlooks for several players are affected.

Paolo Banchero is the other big-time forward in Orlando. He's owned in all leagues of course, but will pick up a bit more with Wagner out of the picture the next three or so weeks. If you roster Banchero, expect big things out of him for the next few weeks.

Tristan da Silva is another forward who will pick up more without Wagner around. da Silva is only rostered in 3% of leagues, but he should get more deep-league looks, at least, for the next couple weeks.

Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black are three guards who are already owned in 100% of fantasy leagues. They each will see a bit more work with Wagner out of the picture for the time being. 

Wendell Carter Jr. and Moritz Wagner are a couple center options in Orlando who will pick up some slack as well. Carter is at 63% rostered, while Moritz Wagner is at just 3%. Moritz Wagner is in a similar boat to da Silva, so we'll see who steps up most between those two.

Jonathan Isaac is another big man who could be in store for a few more minutes without Franz Wagner around. Noah Penda and Jett Howard are some other forwards who could directly play more minutes without Wagner (a small forward) around.

Bane and Suggs are the starters alongside Banchero and Carter. Jase Richardson, Black and Jevon Carter are some other guards who could help out and produce more with a bit more playing time.

Like most situations following an injury, the best thing to do is watch the team's gamelogs, to see who actually is stepping up on a consistent basis. It will also be worth watching the waiver wire list to see which Magic players are being added.

Overall though, there's not one or two players who will pick up all the slack, instead taking several player's efforts to get the job done. We'll see who steps up, and let you know the best pickups as Wagner hopefully heals up and is ready to go for the final stretch of the season.