The early days of the Orlando Magic’s 2026-27 season have not been easy, and once again, the team’s two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, are unable to share court time because Banchero is dealing with a low-grade right ankle sprain.

With Banchero set to miss more time, it has been on Wagner and guard Desmond Bane to be the primary scorers for Orlando. In recent years, whenever Banchero or Wagner was on the floor without the other, it raised questions about whether or not they fit together.

Well, that debate has been resurrected, and former Magic coach Doc Rivers provided his thoughts on the duo during a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast.

The topic concerning Banchero and Wagner was broached when Simmons asked Rivers who he would keep between the two, with Rivers answering that he would keep Banchero — probably.

Rivers, who coached the Magic from 1999-2004, dove deeper into the topic, saying that he likes the way Wagner plays better than Banchero does, citing his downhill, quick decision-making. However, Rivers believes Banchero is the more skilled player of the two.

Simmons agreed with Rivers' take, saying the choice to keep Banchero was the right answer. In Rivers' view, Banchero and Wagner should have been split up already.

Rivers said he was shocked that the organization did not make a move over the summer, and he thought that one of them would get moved. He emphasized that he does not believe either is a bad player; he just feels that players do not fit together sometimes.

Rivers made it clear that if the Magic are trying to be a great team, then the current construction with Banchero and Wagner leading the charge does not work. However, he also pointed to the injury issues both have faced and their lack of time on the floor together, and his skepticism is rooted in failing to see enough of them on the floor at once.

Banchero suffered his ankle sprain in a 115-93 loss at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 23, which was just the second game of the regular season. Therefore, he and Wagner have gotten less than two full games together to see what they could do under new head coach Sean Sweeney.

Rivers said he would like to see Banchero and Wagner have at least a 20-game run together to see what they could do. Without Banchero on the floor this season. According to StatMuse, Banchero and Wagner played just 24 games together last season.

So far, Wagner is averaging 19.6 points, 8.5 assists and 6.4 rebounds without Banchero on the floor. When they do eventually pair up again, it will be interesting to see how quickly they can build in-game chemistry.