Why Paolo Banchero is Ready to 'Dominate Every Single Night'

Entering his fifth season, Paolo Banchero believes he is primed for his best season yet and is ready to dominate. 

During 2026 Magic Media Day, Banchero discussed how he’s focused on improving.

Banchero said he spent much of the offseason focused on getting stronger, improving his conditioning and pushing himself during workouts. He said he enjoyed challenging his limits and embracing some of the difficult moments throughout the summer, adding that the work helped him learn more about himself and left him feeling confident heading into the season.

Banchero said his goal is to approach every game with the same level of intensity, focus and mentality. After acknowledging that consistency fluctuated at times last season, he wants to bring that same mindset every night throughout the 82-game schedule.

Outside of winning the Eastern Conference, Banchero said his main goal is to dominate every night and establish that level of consistency throughout the season.

Banchero said the Magic's priority is keeping everyone as healthy and fresh as possible, particularly when the playoffs arrive. While injuries are inevitable throughout an NBA season, he emphasized the importance of having players ready to step into larger roles when needed. He said the team has put in work from top to bottom so that whoever is called upon can contribute, while acknowledging that keeping the starting five together for all 82 games isn't realistic.

On the latest episode of the Full Court Magic Podcast, host Don Strouble and I discussed why it is integral for Banchero to make the jump into a true superstar. Here’s what we had to say: ’

"When he's just taking those outside threes, it gives the defense a lot more availability to cover him up top and not have to worry about him driving. That's the major step he needs to take in his game: really establish his interior force. He's a big guy with a strong build who can also shoot the basketball and get up athletic near the rim. We can't see a settling Paolo Banchero; we need to see an aggressive Paolo Banchero, and that's where he takes his biggest step.

Teams love to target him on defense and he is the marked man—whenever teams review Magic film, it's 'How do we stop Paolo Banchero?' How does he avoid getting stopped? How does he pass the ball better? How does he take better shots and become more of a dangerous threat? I do think that this year he needs to take a leap, and I have to be optimistic that this is the year Paolo Banchero gets it together because he needs to prove he is a star in this league and show other teams why he is capable of being that star. Talking about Paolo, I think he is a star, but can he take his game up to be a superstar?"