Orlando Magic's Sean Sweeney Talks Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic are gearing up for their first season with incoming head coach Sean Sweeney at the helm, and the offseason has been full of process-based factors leading up to it.

Since his hiring was officially announced on June 1, Sweeney has been working to build his staff and build relationships with the players he will be coaching, one of which is franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero.

Recently, Sweeney joined Ryen Russillo on his podcast to discuss his growing relationship with Banchero.

"Ah, it's been good," Sweeney said. "Yeah, I didn't know him, but I knew a number of people around him prior to it. You know, Mitch Johnson, who I just worked for as a Seattle guy, went to the same high school.

"Spencer Hawes, who I coached," Sweeney added. "My man, Yee Hawes, he's a Seattle guy. He knew Paolo. So, I got a little bit of an understanding from those guys prior to it. And since getting the job, it's been really, really, really good."

Banchero is heading into his fifth season with the Magic. During the 2025-26 campaign, he averaged 22.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in 72 regular season games.

"I went up to Seattle a couple of weeks ago, spent some time up there working out with him, seeing how things were going up there," Sweeney said. "So, I've liked it a lot. He's a smart kid, he's serious about how he wants to be a great player and a great winner in this league. And he's in great shape and working his [expletive] off, which is important."

Banchero has developed into one of the premier young talents in the NBA, but after a small drop-off in production last season, Sweeney knows it is time for him to take the next step as a No. 1 option and franchise player.

"Well, he's got no choice now," Sweeney said.  "But I think, no, all those guys that you just mentioned, like there's a lot of high level players on this team that are serious about winning. And as it pertains to Paolo and his teammates, my job is to give them organization, structure, clarity in their roles.

"Those guys are like the main characters in this movie," Sweeney added. "I'm a supporting character. And we're all essential to have a good movie made, but I've got to do a good job and our staff has to do a good job.

"Why we brought in guys like Greg Buckner and Joe Prunty’s still here," he continued. "D.J. Bakker, like those guys, we have to do a great job of making sure that we communicate clearly what we want them to do, and then play and coach in a style that lends itself to their talents."

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