Paolo Banchero is expected to bring a lot of value to fantasy teams next season.
For anyone who is participating in a fantasy basketball league in the upcoming season, it is worth considering Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero as an early-round pick.
Despite having points last season that were frankly disappointing, the caliber and potential of Banchero’s game cannot be questioned. His point total was down in the 2025-26 campaign, but by the time the playoffs rolled around, Banchero put together two massive performances in Game 5 and Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons to remind us who he is and what he is capable of.
If you don’t want to take my word for it, NBA.com has Banchero listed as an early pick worth taking in its NBA Fantasy outlook for the Southeast Division. Banchero has been working hard this offseason to demonstrate that he is more than advertised, and in a recent episode of the Full Court Magic podcast, I talked about how important this season is for Banchero to prove himself:
"But when Paolo's on, he's been on. I mean, let's not forget, you know, what he was able to accomplish in the postseason when his team really needed it. We're talking about a guy that went head-to-head with Cade Cunningham in that Game 5 loss to the Detroit Pistons: 45 points, 6 of 11 from the three-point line, 17 of 31 from the field, played like a superstar, and he's done that before on this stage.
What about the 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in Game 7, right, and just how he took over that game from the jump, but it just, it wasn't enough? And so, can Paolo take the next step? Can he do what needs to be done to show that, 'Hey, I can be the face of this franchise and I can help lead this team to higher places than it's been?’
Other players to have on your team
For those who are looking to take another player from this Magic squad, Desmond Bane is someone who needs to be considered.
Bane is listed by NBA.com as a player to keep an eye on. In his first season in Orlando, he demonstrated why the organization gave up so much to acquire him.
Bane played all 82 games and each game in the postseason while averaging 20.1 points. Bane’s first season with his new team began a little shaky from a shooting perspective, but he soon found his rhythm and proved he could take over games when needed.
Banchero and Bane are going to be pivotal this season for the Magic, and their performances throughout the year will be indicative of how far this team can go.
