Some of the Orlando Magic's best players were portrayed both positively and negatively by their peers around the league.
The Orlando Magic had, by both internal and external expectations, an underwhelming 2025-26 season.
After acquiring Desmond Bane in June 2025 following back-to-back first round playoff exits, the Magic seemed poised to take a significant step forward in an Eastern Conference landscape that was there for the taking after injuries to star players in the conference, such as Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, would keep them out for most, or all, of the season. Other teams, such as the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, had a lot to prove.
However, as the season progressed and the performances of teams around the East began to materialize, not much changed for the Magic. Even with the acquisition of Bane, Orlando still struggled with injuries and personnel limitations that kept it hovering around the bottom of the playoff pack. The Magic survived the NBA Play-In Tournament and nearly upset the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the playoffs, but they could not finish the job.
During the year, players around the league will talk, especially when granted anonymity, and that is what The Athletic provided once again with its annual player poll. Players in the league across the nation, a record 161 for the outlet’s project, were asked various questions, one of which was "Who is the most overrated player?" and Paolo Banchero found himself on the list.
For context, 81 votes were cast in the category, which is significantly less than the others making up the polling. Banchero received 4.9% of the votes, which tied with Ja Morant and converted to just under four players who were polled. Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun received the most votes at 12.3%, and players who fell under Banchero and Morant include Scottie Barnes (3.7%), Dillon Brooks (3.7%) and Tyler Herro (2.5%).
On a more positive note, both Bane and Anthony Black were recognized in the category "Who is the most underrated player?" Bane and Black both received 1.3% of the 151 votes cast for this category, putting them in a tie with Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby and Saddiq Bey. At the top of the list were Jalen Johnson and Derrick White, who each received four percent of the votes.
As the face of the Magic franchise, Banchero was tasked with lofty individual expectations, and while he did not have his best year, he still showed flashes of superstardom. Bane and Black both took individual steps forward, with Bane playing all 82 games for the first time in his career, and Black improving significantly on the offensive end.
