The Orlando Magic will go as far as coach Sean Sweeney and franchise superstar Paolo Banchero will take them.
The Orlando Magic have an opportunity to take their playoff aspirations to the next level under new head coach Sean Sweeney in the upcoming 2026-27 season, but it will take work.
It will also take a superstar showing by the franchise’s superstar, Paolo Banchero.
In his first four seasons, we have gotten flashes of how great Banchero can be, but the 23-year-old has also had points that inspired less confidence, too. Last season, Banchero averaged 22.2 points through 72 games, which was his lowest scoring average since his rookie season, and there were times when he looked slow and indecisive.
The good news is that Banchero acknowledged his flaws at multiple points during the 2025-26 campaign. When he was not selected to the All-Star team, he took accountability instead of placing blame. When he played poorly in an NBA Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, he talked about how indecisiveness is not rewarded.
That type of accountability by a young star is good, and it is those kinds of intangibles that will help him take another step as the face of this team. It will also be up to Sweeney, too, and the type of messaging and approach he brings.
During his introductory press conference in June, Sweeney emphasized building the team on values, which include character and attentiveness. Those are characteristics that Banchero has demonstrated this offseason through his work ethic and his preparation, and his level of offseason intensity is a good step toward buying into Sweeney’s philosophy before the two have entered training camp together.
Sweeney also highlighted the importance of consistency, and if he can consistently play into Banchero’s strengths while coaching him to improve his weaknesses, that will unlock the latter even further.
Another element of Sweeney’s philosophy that will be beneficial for him, Banchero, and the rest of the players on the roster is something that he learned from his mentor and former NBA assistant, Tim Grgurich. Grgurich helped Sweeney understand the importance of work ethic and how much players matter, and in a league that is player-first, that type of mentality will help strengthen the bond Sweeney will have with Banchero and the rest.
There will be times where adversity shows its face, as is natural for an 82-game regular season. But Banchero is familiar with adversity, and he has matured because of it.
Sweeney also knows adversity. After making it to the NBA Finals in two of the last three seasons as an assistant, only to lose both times, he understands how arduous a task it is to get to the mountain top and capture it.
Sweeney and Banchero can combine their experiences and their values, and if they do it the right way, it will create a partnership that will brighten the future of the Magic.
