The Orlando Magic have made some noteworthy additions to their roster to become a significantly better team this offseason. With Paolo Banchero acknowledging the team’s potential, the 22-year-old predicted they could even take over the Eastern Conference next season. During a recent interview, he said:
“I’m just looking forward to competing at a high level. Going to hopefully take the East. Get around this new team, this new energy, these new vibes.”
Banchero also praised new teammate Desmond Bane and said, “Desmond Bane is a hell of a player. Can’t wait to share the court with him and just compete with him.”
The Magic pushed things into overdrive this offseason. After trading for Bane and solidifying their starting backcourt, Orlando offered a massive contract extension to Banchero, locking him in with the franchise for the foreseeable future.
With four immensely talented players in place, the Magic have established their core. Alongside Banchero and Bane, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs round out one of the league’s most talented young cores.
Last season, the Magic came up short in the postseason, getting eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics. Although this could be viewed as a poor outing, it appeared to be a product of relative inexperience rather than incompetence.
The outlook for the upcoming season will be drastically different for Orlando. Given the state of the Eastern Conference, with top teams like the Pacers, the Celtics, and the Bucks expected to drop off, the Magic may have an opportunity to secure a higher playoff berth.
Much of Orlando’s success next season will be determined by the performance of Banchero.
The 22-year-old forward boasts the potential to be a top 10 player in the league someday. His athleticism and versatility as an offensive player have generated a lot of buzz, with many analysts speculating that he will see a massive uptick in output in the upcoming season.
The Magic forward demonstrated his abilities to a great extent last season as well, recording an average of 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Although he didn’t earn an All-Star selection last season, primarily due to injuries, the forward has showcased the makings of a perennial All-Star, making him an invaluable asset for the Magic.
The aspect of Banchero’s game that has garnered the most attention has been his shot selection. As effective as he is from the floor, his stats are often impacted by his decisions to shoot low-efficiency shots from midrange.
This criticism gained from this suggests that there are more ways he could expand his offensive arsenal. With time to refine his game this offseason, Banchero will have ample opportunity to shine.
