The Orlando Magic hit the mark this offseason with key additions as they look to take the next step toward championship contention. Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2022, forward Paolo Banchero has shouldered the challenge of guiding the franchise from a lottery regular to a consistent playoff contender. In each of his first three seasons, Banchero has shown steady improvement in scoring, playmaking, defense and leadership. These are the qualities that earned him Rookie of the Year and an All-Star selection. Now, with heightened expectations and a stronger core around him, Banchero is positioned to make the leap toward becoming an MVP finalist and potentially leading the Magic to their first championship.
Bleacher Report recently projected the NBA’s top five MVP candidates in five years, ranking Paolo Banchero at No. 4 and citing his elite scoring ability.
“Paolo Banchero has already claimed a Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star bid in year 2 before injuries limited him last year,” Bleacher Report wrote. “Banchero averaged a career-high 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season and is still just 22 years old. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft has a combination of size, strength and mobility that we rarely see in the NBA. There's reason to believe that Banchero can become a lot better as the Orlando Magic improve the roster around him as well.”
By 2030, Banchero is projected to be 27 and expected to have multiple individual honors, including an All-NBA selection, a distinction he could have earned this season if not for an injury that made him ineligible.
“A severe lack of playmaking around him has hurt Banchero's efficiency numbers (45.2 percent shooting overall, 32.0 percent from three last year),” the article added. “Only 37.8 percent of his twos and 49.4 percent of his threes came off of an assist last season. Anthony Davis, another power forward who went No. 1 overall, had 60.5 percent of his twos and 88.6 percent of his threes come off an assist in 2024-25. The Orlando Magic traded for Desmond Bane and signed Tyus Jones this offseason. Getting Jalen Suggs healthy for an entire season will help as well. If he has the right playmaking around him, there's no reason why Banchero can't be one of the NBA's top scorers over the next decade. The Magic should be good, meaning we'll likely see another All-Star trip for Banchero and his first All-NBA team this season, with realistic MVP chatter lurking in the background over the next few years.”
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