Paolo Banchero Makes Bold Claim About Orlando Magic Roster

Recently, Paolo Banchero joined Stephen A. Smith at Fanatics Fan Fest for a one-on-one interview to cover his offseason and how he plans to lead the Orlando Magic back to the playoffs.

"It’s been great. I’ve been locked in and definitely working the hardest I’ve ever worked in an offseason. Just enjoying time around family and friends, but it’s been productive.

Your first couple of years, you’re just happy to be here and trying to figure it all out. After coming up short, that sense of urgency is definitely there for me to work as hard as I can and keep my mind on the main goal, which is winning in the postseason—getting past the first round and deep into the playoffs. That’s all that’s been on my mind this summer. Obviously, you're getting ready for the grind of the 82-game season, but also doing what I need to do physically and mentally to be ready for a deep playoff run."

"We can't be satisfied. This last year was probably the one that hurt the most—being up 3-1, losing Game 7, and feeling like we had a real shot. Franz going down hurt us. Losing in the first round can’t be the standard; that’s not good enough. That was already understood.

Some of the guys on the team and I have been having a lot of conversations over the summer. We were all just in Vegas working out, and you could tell there’s a different type of mentality and a higher level of focus. Everybody is ready to take that next step. We’ve got to accept it for what it was. The front office made their decision, and we have to continue to move forward. As players, it’s on us. We take that responsibility. But you've got to move forward and be excited for what's next."

"The biggest thing is just to be in elite shape. Over the last two seasons, I’ve dealt with a few injuries, so being in elite shape and making sure my body is ready for the grind of the season is key. I want to be ready to go the distance, challenging my mind with workouts and conditioning to be almost bulletproof if I can. Even though I’ve played well in the playoffs, it hasn’t been enough to advance. I feel like I'm starting back from zero and putting pressure on myself in a good way to take that next step."

"I’d be lying if I said I didn't think it would have been a different outcome if we had him. Franz is an absolute key to our team, and we are not the same when he’s not out there. The versatility he brings on both sides of the ball at 6-foot-10—he can guard 1-through-5, high-level defender. Offensively, he brings balance with his attacking, high IQ, and cerebral style. He’s one of the leaders on our team. Seeing him go down was not only a loss for what he does on the court, but a loss for his voice, IQ, and presence."

"We do have enough. We won 45 games, and if you ask anybody in the building, we did not put our best foot forward from start to finish. To still win 45 games, make the playoffs, and put ourselves in position to advance leaves everyone with a sour taste because we didn't finish it. But when we look each other in the eye, we know our team is enough with our size, defense, and versatility. I'm excited for what the new staff can come in and do to put us in the right positions, but looking around that locker room, we have enough."

"It’s so balanced with stars going everywhere. With Jaylen Brown moving to Philly, Kawhi in Toronto, Giannis in Miami, LeBron potentially joining the East, Boston getting Mitchell Robinson and Paul George, and New York still being the champions—there are a lot of teams that come into this season feeling like they have a real shot, including us. There won't be any off nights in the East. Every night is going to be a dogfight, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

"I’m not going to lie—you can ask anybody, I called it. I saw the way they were playing in that first-round series against Atlanta after they lost a game, and then going through the rest of the playoffs. They went like 19 straight games without losing and were just clicking. KAT was playing great, they looked balanced, and I was telling my homies during the Western Conference Finals that whoever comes out of the West, I’ve got New York.

Even going back to the NBA Cup, I thought they were the most complete team offensively and defensively. Brunson is the head of the snake, but then you look at Mikal Bridges, KAT, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson on the glass, Deuce McBride—it felt inevitable towards the end. Watching that 29-point comeback, you just knew things were going their way. I wasn't the happiest that they won, but I saw it coming."

"Brunson paid his dues and waited his turn. He had playoff runs where he came up short, but this year you could tell they had a different look in their eyes. With Brunson, it’s not about size or raw athleticism—he is just a hell of a basketball player who plays to win every night. Having played with him on the World Cup team, he’s a hell of a leader and one of the hardest workers I’ve been around. I wasn't surprised by how he performed. It’s good for the game to see a guy like him win Finals MVP and lead his team to a title."

"We have the P5 Elite Camp at the end of July in Seattle, sponsored by Jordan Brand. We bring the top underclassmen in the country to my hometown for a three-day camp. We bring a lot of pros back—myself, Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, Spencer Hawes, Jaden McDaniels. JJ Crawford, Jamal’s son and the number one freshman in the country, will be there.

I’m very passionate about the grassroots space and giving back. A lot of people helped me on my journey, so I feel it’s my duty to pay it forward. We try to prepare these kids for what’s to come—college looks like the pros now with NIL and the transfer portal. I try to relay the same message Jamal Crawford gave me at that age: the NBA isn't as far away as you think, and you've got to be ready for it. If we can help a kid become a pro and take care of his family, that’s a win in my book."

"I would love to see a team back in Seattle. It’s a great basketball city with rich history—Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and that whole era. My only critiques are that it’s a long flight and it rains a lot, but they definitely deserve a team back."

"We're going to take that next step this year. We’re going to get out of the first round and make a real run in the playoffs. The regular season seating is the most important thing. We’ve got to be a top-four seed, secure home-court advantage, and give ourselves the best chance without having to battle through the play-in tournament. Home-court advantage is huge, and that’s what we’re going after."

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