Since joining the Orlando Magic, Paolo Banchero has swiftly risen to prominence, establishing himself as the team’s central figure. Over his first three seasons, he has maintained impressive averages of 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 32 percent from three-point range. His accomplishments include securing the Rookie of the Year award in the 2022–23 season and earning an All-Star selection, confirming his role as Orlando’s future cornerstone. Recently, Banchero committed to a five-year, $239 million contract, underscoring the organization’s confidence in his leadership.
Bleacher Report’s Franchise Star Rankings Stir Debate
Bleacher Report’s list of top NBA stars to build franchises around placed Banchero in the final position, a ranking that sparked controversy among fans and analysts. Notably, he was ranked behind players such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Jalen Brunson, prompting discussions about his perceived development relative to these peers.
Paolo gets on here right at the end,
the host said.
He’s a 22-year-old guy who’s out there putting up around 25 points per game last season. Already had two really good playoff appearances. Paolo’s fantastic. There are flaws in his game. I don’t love the shot selection. I feel like he settles for a lot of mid-range jumpers. I feel like he could use his physicality a lot more, but he’s a super young player. There’s still so much time for him to figure those things out. And as a 6-foot-10, 22-year-old with the mobility and the skill that he has, it’s hard not to have him on a list like this.
—Host
Challenges Impacting Banchero’s Growth and Playoff Success
Banchero’s development has faced obstacles, including insufficient support from surrounding teammates and a series of untimely injuries that affected the Orlando Magic during their playoff campaigns. The team endured consecutive first-round eliminations, largely due to a lack of consistent offensive threats beyond Banchero. Despite this, he has carried a heavy load in the postseason, averaging 28 points and 8.5 rebounds over two playoff series.
Offseason acquisitions, including sharpshooter Desmond Bane and playmaker Tyus Jones, are expected to enhance the team’s spacing and scoring options. This bolstered roster aims to improve Banchero’s efficiency and overall impact in future contests.
Last year, they lost pretty quickly to the Boston Celtics,
the host added.
That’s despite being injured and them having a really unideal scenario for Paolo Banchero, and this year, you add in Bane, you have more shooting with Jalen Suggs, hopefully playing a majority of this season after dealing with injury, maybe Franz Wagner‘s three-ball bounces back a little bit. Fingers crossed on that. I think if you put Paolo in a better context, you’re going to get a lot better efficiency from him, and he’s going to skyrocket to a new tier player. I do think Paolo is a great pick to go ahead and have on this list.
—Host
Outlook for Orlando Magic and Paolo Banchero’s Future
Paolo Banchero’s continued growth is vital to the Orlando Magic’s prospects as they aim to move past early playoff exits and establish themselves as contenders. With improved supporting talent and his expanding skill set, Banchero has the potential to elevate his performance significantly. As the franchise’s leader, his development could propel the Magic to greater success in coming seasons, meeting the expectations that accompany his lucrative contract and status.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Paolo Banchero’s diagnosis?
A. Paolo Banchero has a torn right oblique. ORLANDO – Following more testing in Cleveland, the Orlando Magic announced that their forward, Paolo Banchero, is injured.
Q. Did Paolo Banchero lose weight?
A. Learn about how Paolo Banchero shed as much as seven pounds each game while he played basketball at Duke. This highlights his demanding athletic journey.
Q. Why did Paolo Banchero lose weight?
A. It’s reported that Duke player Paolo Banchero sweats heavily during games, causing him to lose about seven pounds each time.
Q. Can Paolo Banchero dunk?
A. Paolo Banchero missed a shot but then made a fantastic dunk. What an impressive move by Paolo! After missing, he quickly scored twice consecutively. The dunk was thrilling, showing his skill and determination on the court.