Franz Wagner ($8,300) last played on December 8, 2024, a span of 20 games, due to a torn oblique. During Friday’s game, ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth reported that he could be back in 7-10 days. On Wednesday, he was officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.
If he returns, that would send Tristan da Silva ($4,800) back to a reserve role. In addition, his minutes would likely be capped in the mid-20s for a few games.
Paolo Banchero ($8,400) recently returned from the same injury and played 27, 27, and 26 minutes in his first three games back. He did not eclipse the 30-minute mark until the sixth game back.
Wagner was playing at an amazing rate prior to the injury, garnering a usage rate in the mid-to-high 30% range, but most of those game were without Banchero. In the first five games of the season with Banchero, Wagner never saw a usage rate of 30%.
