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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Moritz Wagner #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes his entrance before the game against the Utah Jazz on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Moritz Wagner #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes his entrance before the game against the Utah Jazz on November 23, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images

Lakers News: LeBron James Praises Rookie Moe Wagner Despite Not Playing

Scott PolacekDec 17, 2018

First-round picks who go to teams coming off five straight playoff-less seasons often see plenty of playing time, but those teams don't usually land LeBron James and retool into instant contenders during the same offseason.

Such is life for the 6'11" Moritz Wagner, who has seen sparse playing time since the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the No. 25 pick in the 2018 draft. However, James offered praise for the Michigan product during an appearance on Spectrum SportsNet (h/t Harrison Faigen of SB Nation).

"He's always talking throughout the course of the game, trying to figure out ways he can help the team or just communicating defensively," James said.

Wagner has averaged 6.3 minutes per night in the seven games he has appeared in, posting 3.9 points and 1.4 rebounds. There isn't much room for him with JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler in the lineup, and the Lakers can go small with James and Kyle Kuzma in frontcourt roles.

Still, the 18-12 Lakers have been thriving of late and find themselves fourth in the Western Conference.

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