The key facts

  • Moritz Wagner moved from Orlando to the Brooklyn Nets, while Franz stayed with the Magic on a $224 million contract through 2030
  • Eight German players in the NBA in the 2026/27 season; Charlotte signed Schröder and rookies Steinbach and Anderson
  • Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles tendon in the first preseason game and will miss the entire season

The End of the Shared Era in Orlando

Since 2021, when Franz Wagner was selected by the Orlando Magic with the eighth pick and joined his older brother Moritz, the brothers played for the same club. During that time, the 'Wagners' became a recognizable brand in basketball: last year the NBA held a regular-season game in Berlin, partly thanks to the brothers. Moritz runs a successful podcast, each brother has around 300,000 Instagram followers, and in 2024 ZDF aired a four-part documentary about them. With the German national team they became world champions in 2023 and played at the Paris Olympics; in 2025 Franz won EuroBasket, while the injured Moritz worked as a TV commentator.

Moritz in Brooklyn: 'We're Simply Staying Home'

In the summer, their shared journey ended: Orlando did not offer Moritz a new contract, and he accepted an offer from the Brooklyn Nets. He now lives in New York with his girlfriend Maggie McQuade, who works in NBA marketing. 'I've already spent a lot of time in New York. It's something like my home in America,' he said on the podcast, adding that Brooklyn feels close in spirit to Berlin. About the call from the Nets, he said: 'When we hung up and both agreed, we both cried. Because you realize that this step somehow feels right. We're simply staying home.' The Nets are considered one of the weakest teams of the upcoming season, and Wagner is assigned the role of stabilizer and mentor to young players.

Franz — the Face of a New Era in Orlando

Franz stayed with the Magic, where, alongside Paolo Banchero, he is one of the team's two stars. The 25-year-old forward signed a contract through 2030 reportedly worth a total of $224 million (€199 million). With new head coach Shawn Sweeney, the club, which was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs three seasons in a row, hopes to finally advance further. The focus is on faster basketball: Franz is given a more prominent playmaking role — as with the German national team. 'We want to play tough, together, fast, and have fun doing it,' he said in a preseason interview. 'I think we're both a bit sad that his time here is over,' Franz admitted in an interview with ClutchPoints. 'But we're both very grateful for the time we had. Playing with your brother in the NBA for so many years is something special.'

Eight Germans in the NBA and a New 'German' Team

In the 2026/27 season, eight Germans are signed to NBA clubs: Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva (Orlando), Moritz Wagner (Brooklyn), Isaiah Hartenstein (Oklahoma City), Ariel Hukporti, Dennis Schröder, Hannes Steinbach, and Christian Anderson Jr. (Philadelphia and Charlotte, respectively, for the last three). Hartenstein, who won the title with the Thunder in 2025, is again a championship contender. Hukporti tore his Achilles tendon in the first preseason game and will miss the entire season; the Sixers, who signed LeBron James, are considered title contenders. Maxi Kleber, after nine years with the Lakers, did not receive a new contract and remains a free agent.

Schröder Leads the Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets could become the new favorite team of German fans: German national team captain Dennis Schröder, who in his 14th season has switched to his 12th club, plays there alongside two German rookies — Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr., who together won silver at the 2025 U19 World Championship. 'I'm a veteran — I've been in the league 14 years and am actually the longest-tenured on this team — and of course I try to help these two guys get through their rookie season as easily as possible,' Schröder said in an interview with RTL/Sky Sport. 'It's great to have someone like that around. Someone to speak German with and who gives advice during the game,' Steinbach noted. The Hornets are aiming for the playoffs, and since they, like Brooklyn and Orlando, play in the Eastern Conference, the Germans have plenty of head-to-head matchups ahead.