Orlando Magic have foundation set to shake up East in 2023-24

Paolo Banchero is special

Now that Victor Wembenyama has officially been drafted into the NBA, everyone expects him to eventually become the face of the league in a few years. He just may have a little bit of competition on his hands if he plans on earning that coveted title because Paolo Banchero’s name is sure to come up in those conversations.

The Magic realizes that they have something special and hopefully, they can place a solid team around this phenom so they can start competing for championships instead of fighting to qualify for a playoff berth. He performed like an All-Star during his rookie campaign and he is only going to get better.

For a rookie, he was extremely developed and his potential showed as the season progressed. Alongside with his teammate in the frontcourt, Banchero and Wagner were the top 2 scorers for the Magic last season. Banchero did not finish his rookie season without making an indelible impression as he became the 12th rookie in NBA history and the 6th rookie since 1977-78 to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Another interesting fact is that Banchero scored 20-plus points 40 times which is the same exact feat accomplished by LeBron James during his rookie season.

Banchero is off to a heck of a start to what is expected to be an illustrious career and hopefully, we will be able to witness a storybook ending to his career and raise a few championship trophies in the city of Orlando.