German basketball star Moritz Wagner has signed a two-year contract worth nearly $18.5 million with the Brooklyn Nets, marking a major career transition that relocates him to New York without his brother and longtime teammate, Franz Wagner, as reported by German media outlets referencing sports wire services.
Tears in Brooklyn and a Long-Awaited Return to New York
For the 29-year-old center, who returned to the court last season following a year-long recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the move to New York represents a homecoming of sorts. Wagner and his girlfriend, Maggie, already spent considerable time in the city during off-seasons while he played for the Orlando Magic. When the offer from Brooklyn materialized, the decision brought the couple to tears. “When we hung up the phone and both agreed, we both cried. Because you kind of realize: This feels right somehow,” Wagner shared on his podcast, Kannst du so nicht sagen. Following the call, his partner rushed to the NBA Store to buy a Nets hat, cementing their immediate commitment to the city.
Wagner Rides Subway and Compares Brooklyn to Berlin
Unlike many professional athletes who opt for private transit, Wagner has embraced the daily realities of New York life, regularly riding the city’s subway system. Having spent five seasons playing alongside his brother Franz for the Orlando Magic—sharing a house in Florida—the Berlin native noted that Brooklyn offers a familiar cultural pulse. “Brooklyn is, as far as the US goes, very close to Berlin,” Wagner explained, describing the borough as his true American home.
Facing Brother Franz in the Eastern Conference
The transition means the Wagner brothers will play on separate teams for the first time in five years. While Franz Wagner remains with Orlando, located roughly 1,500 kilometers to the south, Moritz Wagner noted that his brother was genuinely happy for his new opportunity in New York. Even so, the elder Wagner acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the split, admitting it hurts not to share the court anymore. The schedule sets up their first professional face-off in the Eastern Conference on the night of November 21, a matchup Wagner admitted he has tried not to dwell on yet: “Man, that’s so weird. I don’t even want to imagine how weird that is. We’ve really never done that before.”
Rebuilding the Brooklyn Frontcourt
On the court, the Nets enter the new NBA season looking to reestablish momentum after several difficult campaigns. Management brought in the veteran center to provide leadership and physical presence for a young roster aiming for medium-term improvement. With training camps underway and the regular-season tip-off approaching in two weeks, Wagner prepares to step onto the floor in black and white—and eventually face his brother across center court for the very first time in a competitive game.
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