Moe Wagner started his Thursday normally, walking outside for his walk before the game. In the middle of his routine, he discovered that he was traded from the Wizards to the Bulls. While he was emotionally preparing to go to Windy City, he found out minutes before the 3 pm negotiation deadline that he was going to the Celtics.
It’s the turbulent life in the NBA, where livelihood is uprooted in the blink of an eye. Wagner was supposed to be preparing to play against the Knicks on Thursday, but instead, he went to Milwaukee to meet with his new team.
To get used to the Celtics and their new coach, Brad Stevens, Wagner said he spent the past 24 hours working on the manual to learn everything he could. Despite being traded on Thursday, Wagner made his Boston debut in the 122-114 victory over the Bucks on Friday. Wagner played 10 minutes, winning three points and five rebounds.
But everything is still a process for the 23-year-old Michigan striker.
“I can feel like I’m still a little overwhelmed here and there,” said Wagner after the game on Friday. “I keep telling myself that it’s just basketball and that I should keep playing with mistakes.”
Wagner was part of an exchange of three teams between Boston, Chicago and Washington. The Celtics sent Daniel Theis and Javonte Green to Wagner and Bulls’ great man, Luke Kornet. The Bulls and Wizards had an original deal that sent Wagner to the Bulls, but the changes to the deadline for the deal put everything on the sidelines.
Wagner started his career after being drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded from the Lakers to the Wizards to free up space for Anthony Davis to sign. That’s why Wagner said he understood the commercial side of the league after he was transferred. He played 25 games for the Wizards this season, averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
“The basketball part is the easiest thing because it distracts you from all the other things you are doing, like moving and all the things outside the court that you need to discover,” said Wagner. “So just talking about coverage and meeting new teammates is fun. This is what I like most. “
There were some tones of coincidence when Wagner and Theis were exchanged, both German players in the league. Wagner said he knows Theis because of the experience of the national team, but he did not suit the German team very much, so he does not know Theis personally.
Wagner admitted that it is strange to be switched to another player, especially someone who was loved by his teammates like Theis. He said he watches the games all the time and can see how much Theis meant for his new team.
“The dynamics of the team,” said Wagner of what he is trying to capture. “Who is leading, who has what role, emotional role and all that. And then, defensively, I think the most important thing is to get the terminology right because if you play a lot and you don’t know what’s going on, you can’t play.
Wagner said his number one priority was to define these terminologies – both on the offensive and on the defensive side. He is adapting to a new coach, and Wagner said he saw a great emphasis on getting to know Stevens’ system.
Stevens and Wagner have not yet discussed at length about the Celtics’ new role. Wagner said they had a brief conversation before a team meeting, where Stevens told him to be a confident player and just stick with the system on the spot.
Wagner was the first of the three newest Celtics pieces to see the court. Kornet was on the sideline during Friday’s game, but saw no action. Stevens said Evan Fournier was in Boston undergoing physical examinations and other tasks. But Stevens said he will talk more thoroughly with the efficient and accurate guard so that they can put him in the system for the stretch run.
Wagner came in the middle of a trip, but soon he will be able to enjoy his new home. The Celtics will embark on a seven-game home from Monday against Pelicans, where they will be able to smooth out any adjustments with their new advances.
“That’s the good thing about the NBA,” said Wagner. “You play a lot of basketball and I kind of try to lose myself in it and worry about other things outside the court. But basketball is the easiest and most fun part for me. “