<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-hit-brutal-josh-smith-comparison-amid-orlandos-slow-start');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paolo Banchero hit with brutal Josh Smith comparison amid Magic’s slow start');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Banchero-drives.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Paolo Banchero hit with brutal Josh Smith comparison amid Magic’s slow start</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-28T13:26:23-07:00">October 28th, 1:26pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-28T13:26:23-07:00">October 28th, 1:26pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Monday evening, the Orlando Magic dropped to 1-3 on the 2025 NBA season with a disappointing road loss <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-vj-edgecombe-more-points-first-3-games-michael-jordan">against the Philadelphia 76ers.</a> The loss was another puzzlingly bad defensive performance from <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-franz-wagner-points-self-inflicted-errors-after-orlando-loss-to-hawks">a Magic team</a> that was supposed to be among the league’s elites in that department this year.</p><p>Not helping the cause has been Paolo Banchero, who has gotten off to a rough shooting start to the season and recently took a startlingly bad shot attempt late in a close game against the Atlanta Hawks.</p><p>Recently, NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry stopped by The Ringer’s Zach Lowe’s podcast and <a href="https://x.com/MrBuckBuckNBA/status/1983243370429403634" rel="noopener">made a comparison</a> to a former NBA power forward.</p><p>“I’m going to raise the red flag over Paolo Banchero Island. This is such a key moment for him, and I hesitate to admit this — but at times, he reminds me of Josh Smith,” said Goldsberry, per MrBuckBuck on X, formerly Twitter. “He’s made just five of his 27 jump shots this year, and I’m not cherry-picking. I love Paolo — he’s a huge part of the future of American basketball — but last season, among the 62 most active jump shooters in the NBA, he ranked 60th in efficiency.”</p><p>“He has a jump-shooting problem, and as the team’s most active scorer, that’s an issue,” he concluded.</p><p>Josh Smith similarly was a supremely talented player for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000s and early 2010s but struggled to shoot the ball from outside, to the point where fans in attendance would actively groan when he got ready to launch one up.</p><h2><b>A rough start for the Magic</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Magics-Paolo-Banchero-flexing.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Coming into this year, the Magic were expected to compete for one of the top seeds in the East after trading for Desmond Bane in the offseason. While four games is far too small a sample size to make any big declarations, the Magic have not looked great so far, particularly on defense, surrendering a 136-point effort to the 76ers on Monday.</p><p>Things will likely improve as this new-look roster continues to gel, so it’s too early for any fans to hit the panic button. However, if this is the version of Banchero that Orlando is going to get this year, there will be a hard ceiling on just how good they can be.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paolo Banchero hit with brutal Josh Smith comparison amid Magic’s slow start

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-vj-edgecombe-shows-off-athleticism-paolo-banchero-chasedown-block');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ VJ Edgecombe shows off insane athleticism with Paolo Banchero chasedown block');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/VJ-Edgecombe-shows-off-insane-athleticism-with-Paolo-Banchero-chasedown-block.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>76ers’ VJ Edgecombe shows off insane athleticism with Paolo Banchero chasedown block</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-27T20:09:24-07:00">October 27th, 8:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-27T20:13:13-07:00">October 27th, 8:13pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>VJ Edgecombe had an impressive defensive highlight during the Philadelphia <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/philadelphia-76ers/76ers-news-joel-embiid-fed-up-minutes-restriction">76ers’ matchup against the Orlando Magic</a> on Monday night.</p><p>Going into the game, Edgecombe had an excellent start to his NBA career. He averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists throughout the first two games of the season, making early splashes as a start for Philadelphia.</p><p>The young guard continues to prove his talent not just on offense, but on the defensive side of the ball as well. He <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1982970769492848813" rel="noopener">showcased that with this highlight</a> in the third quarter, chasing down Paolo Banchero for the big block on the fastbreak.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WHAT A SEQUENCE BY THE SIXERS 🔥</p><p>VJ Edgecombe with a MEAN chasedown block on Paolo Banchero and Tyrese Maxey lays it up on the other end 😤<a href="https://t.co/w57hMvOY08">pic.twitter.com/w57hMvOY08</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1982970769492848813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>How VJ Edgecombe, 76ers played against Magic</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/VJ-Edgecombe-shows-off-insane-athleticism-with-Paolo-Banchero-chasedown-block-1.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It was a great highlight for VJ Edgecombe to pull off, helping the 76ers take down the Magic 136-124 to improve to 3-0 on the season.</p><p>Philadelphia was without Joel Embiid as the team remains cautious towards his health. Nonetheless, the squad adapted well enough to make big plays down the stretch to fend off any attempt at an upset on their homecourt.</p><p>Perimeter shooting and turnovers made the difference in this matchup. The 76ers prevailed in both categories as they made 14 3-pointers on a 42.4% clip while limiting their turnovers to six. It wasn’t the same for the Magic, only making eight triples on 32% accuracy and turning the ball over 13 times.</p><p>Four players scored in double-digits for Philadelphia, including Edgecombe. He finished with a stat line of 26 points, seven assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a block. He shot 10-of-17 from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Tyrese Maxey had an excellent display with 43 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and a steal. Kelly Oubre Jr. came next with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Quentin Grimes provided 14 points and five rebounds.</p><p>The 76ers will look forward to their next matchup, being on the road. They face the Washington Wizards on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ VJ Edgecombe shows off insane athleticism with Paolo Banchero chasedown block

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magics-paolo-banchero-desmond-bane-call-jalen-suggs-heart-and-soul-after-return-vs-heat');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane call Jalen Suggs the ‘heart and soul’ after energetic return vs. Heat');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jalen-Suggs-4-reacts-after-a-basket-against-the-Miami-Heat-in-the-fourth-quarter.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane call Jalen Suggs the ‘heart and soul’ after energetic return vs. Heat</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-23T10:42:35-07:00">October 23rd, 10:42am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-23T10:42:35-07:00">October 23rd, 10:42am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-jamahl-mosley-rave-desmond-bane-impact">Orlando Magic opened their 2025-26 season on a high note</a> Tuesday night, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/what-we-know-about-terry-rozier-chauncey-billups-fbi-investigations">defeating the Miami Heat 125-121 at the Kia Center</a> in a fast-paced, physical matchup that marked the return of guard Jalen Suggs. Playing in his first game since January, Suggs quickly reminded teammates and fans alike why he’s considered the team’s emotional core.</p><p>Suggs finished with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in just 17 minutes of action. He shot 6-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, and recorded a team-best plus/minus of +15. It was his first game since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-president-provides-updates-jalen-suggs-moritz-wagner-injuries">undergoing arthroscopic surgery</a> in February to remove a cartilage fragment in his left knee — an injury that ended his 2024-25 season prematurely.</p><p>The former All-Defensive Team guard made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor, helping Orlando set the tone early against a veteran Miami squad. His return drew praise from teammates Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, who both described him as the “<a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">heart and soul</a>” of the team.</p><p>“I mean everybody saw it… him starting the game hitting shots,” Banchero said. “Defensively, doing what he does – can’t say enough about what he does for our team and the player he is so it was great having him out there.”</p><h2><b>Desmond Bane calls Jalen Suggs the ‘heart and soul’ as Magic’s new core shines vs. Heat</b></h2><p>Bane, who made his Magic debut after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-desmond-bane-no-limits-orlando-after-grizzlies-trade">being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason</a>, echoed that sentiment and spoke about Suggs’ influence during key moments late in the game.</p><p>“He’s a game changer,” Bane said. “I mean he made a big shot on offense, a big steal on defense, charge – as soon as the crowd started getting into it we were in a timeout with like three minutes to go and he was like, ‘come out we get a stop or two and this place is gonna explode and just ride that momentum to the end.’ I tell him all the time, he’s the heart and soul of this thing. Without him we’d still be a good ball club but he’s really the guy that puts us over the top.”</p><p>Bane added that Suggs’ presence provides an energy boost that can’t be replicated.</p><p>“He’s an energizer bunny – every time something happens he’s pumping the crowd up,” Bane said. “He brings that much needed juice for sure.”</p><p>The game showcased the chemistry between the Magic’s newly constructed backcourt and its established core. Alongside Suggs’ efficient night, Banchero led Orlando with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Bane contributed 23 points in his first regular-season game with the team. Franz Wagner matched their production with 24 points, six assists, and four rebounds in 36 minutes, further solidifying Orlando’s balanced attack.</p><h2><b>Franz Wagner praises Bane and Suggs as Magic eye deeper run with healthy roster</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jalen-Suggs-4-reacts-with-guard-Desmond-Bane-3-after-a-play-against-the-Miami-Heat.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Wagner pointed out that both Bane and Suggs played pivotal roles in creating momentum late in the game, highlighting a moment that reflected their collective mindset.</p><p>“I just talked about Bane, not just as a player but that play shows his character – he’s a big time scorer but he really wants to win and does that type of play as well,” Wagner said. “And then J Suggs, pretty hard to find someone that I don’t know what it was, eight months off… six for seven, +15, it’s pretty impressive.”</p><p>Suggs’ return adds another dimension to Orlando’s guard rotation, which now features Bane’s outside shooting and veteran leadership alongside Suggs’ defensive intensity and emotional spark. The Magic finished last season 41-41 after a year riddled with injuries to Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner. With a healthy roster and offseason additions, the team has set its sights on making a deeper postseason push.</p><p>The Magic will look to build on their opening-night win when they host the Atlanta Hawks (0-1) on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET as part of their three-game homestand.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane call Jalen Suggs the ‘heart and soul’ after energetic return vs. Heat

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-jamahl-mosley-rave-desmond-bane-impact');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Jamahl Mosley rave about Desmond Bane’s impact');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Desmond-Bane-3-looks-on-against-the-Miami-Heat-in-the-third-quarter-at-Kia-Center.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Jamahl Mosley rave about Desmond Bane’s impact</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-23T10:13:14-07:00">October 23rd, 10:13am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-23T10:13:14-07:00">October 23rd, 10:13am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/what-we-know-about-terry-rozier-chauncey-billups-fbi-investigations"> Orlando Magic opened their 2025-26 season with a statement win</a> on Tuesday night, defeating the Miami Heat 125-121 at the Kia Center. The debut of veteran guard Desmond Bane stole much of the spotlight, earning immediate praise from star forward Paolo Banchero and head coach Jamahl Mosley following his first game in a Magic uniform.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-desmond-bane-no-limits-orlando-after-grizzlies-trade">Bane, acquired this offseason from the Memphis Grizzlies</a>, scored 23 points to go with four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 33 minutes. He shot 7-for-18 from the field, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and 6-for-6 from the free throw line, playing a key role in helping Orlando close out Miami in a high-scoring contest.</p><p>Banchero, who led the Magic with 24 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block on 7-of-17 shooting, said Bane’s aggressive approach and confidence fit seamlessly into Orlando’s system.</p><p>“He was just being himself and that’s what we’ve asked him to do since the day he got here,” Banchero said. “Just hunt his shots, be aggressive and let it fly. We trust him with the ball in his hands [and] whatever he decides to do with it so I thought he played great.”</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero and Jamahl Mosley praise Desmond Bane’s leadership</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Desmond-Bane-3-is-guarded-by-Miami-Heat-center-Bam-Adebayo-13-in-the-third-quarter.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Mosley <a href="https://www.nba.com/magic/video" rel="noopener">echoed that sentiment</a>, emphasizing Bane’s leadership and composure in key moments.</p><p>“Well he brings a calm but he also brings a toughness – his ability to get guys together in huddles,” Mosley said. “You saw him bringing the group together down the stretch, I think it was the 4:30 mark that he brought guys in. Jalen was over there getting the crowd going and Desmond brought everybody in and I think his ability to do that for this group says a lot. And also making the right play, putting the ball in his hands down the stretch – he can handle it, him and Paolo two man game, pick and roll… it’s a luxury to have these guys down the stretch to be able to make big time plays for one another.”</p><p>Bane’s debut performance capped off an all-around offensive showing for Orlando, as Franz Wagner matched Banchero’s 24 points while adding six assists, four rebounds, and two steals on 9-of-17 shooting. Wagner also reflected on Bane’s impact, praising his competitive edge and unselfishness.</p><p>“I just talked about Bane, not just as a player but that play shows his character – he’s a big time scorer but he really wants to win and does that type of play as well,” Wagner said, referencing Bane’s dive for a loose ball late in the game. “Like I said, you don’t know which play is gonna win the game.”</p><h2><b>Balanced scoring trio powers Magic past Heat, highlighting team’s depth and versatility</b></h2><p>The trio of Banchero, Bane, and Wagner combined for 71 points, marking just the second time in franchise history that three Magic players scored 20 or more points in an opening night game. The <a href="https://x.com/Magic_PR/status/1981177684257366450" rel="noopener">only other instance came on Oct. 19, 2022</a>, in Detroit, when Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Wagner each topped 20 points.</p><p>For Mosley, the new scoring balance highlights Orlando’s growing depth and versatility.</p><p>“Those are very good problems,” Mosley said. “I mean, you see down the stretch we’re trying to find a matchup – we go to Paolo and Desmond in the pick and roll when we usually go to Franz and Paolo in the pick and roll. Jalen’s out there, he makes a big play. It says a lot about the guys that are not afraid of the moment and they trust each other enough to make the right play at the right time and they’re all capable of making big time plays and they celebrate each other. And that’s the beauty of this team — our depth, our togetherness, and the focus that we have to continue to work for one another.”</p><h2><b>Banchero says expectations are ‘exciting’ as Magic look to build on opening win</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paolo-Banchero-5-looks-to-shoot-the-ball-against-the-Miami-Heat-in-the-third-quarter.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Banchero, now in his fourth NBA season, said the addition of Bane has elevated both the team’s confidence and expectations.</p><p>“The expectations are exciting, the pressure is exciting,” Banchero said. “It’s a privilege for people to think or have very high expectations for your team and I think we just wanna embrace that here. I wouldn’t say it was our best performance but we were able to still grind out the win and stay together. There was a lot of good as well so… going back to look at what we could work on and taking the good as well and just being better from it. But it was a very good first showing and I think the sky’s the limit for us.”</p><p>Wagner shared a similar perspective, noting that the offseason additions have sharpened the team’s mindset.</p><p>“Obviously with the moves we made this summer, our urgency is at an all-time high,” Wagner said. “A lot of guys that we added not just on the court with their playing style but with their demeanor, their character, I think fits us perfectly with what we needed. And add that to a really talented group that everybody got a lot better over the summer, I’m excited for what we can do.”</p><p>With the Magic’s home opener now behind them, the team will look to build on its early momentum when it hosts the Atlanta Hawks (0-1) on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET to continue their three-game homestand.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Paolo Banchero, Jamahl Mosley rave about Desmond Bane’s impact

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magics-paolo-banchero-fires-99-percent-claim-about-desmond-bane');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires ’99 percent’ claim about Desmond Bane');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Magic-news-Paolo-Banchero-fires-99-percent-claim-about-Desmond-Bane.jpg"><figcaption>Mike Watters-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires ’99 percent’ claim about Desmond Bane</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-07T23:35:04-07:00">October 7th, 11:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-07T23:35:04-07:00">October 7th, 11:35pm</time><address><a>Paolo Mariano</a>Paolo Mariano is a freelance writer, editor, and producer based in Manila, Philippines. He is a journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas and the father of a young girl whose personality swings from Simone Biles to Dillon Brooks. A beacon of objectivity, he believes Penny Hardaway is the true NBA GOAT.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is confident they have the tools to be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. They have flirted with success in recent years, and it’s only a matter of time until they get over the hump.</p><p>For Banchero, guard Desmond Bane could be the missing piece. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/move-orlando-magic-still-make-2025-nba-free-agency">Magic acquired Bane in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies</a> in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and future first-round picks.</p><p>Many felt Orlando gave up way too much, but Banchero believes the front office made the right decision, describing the 27-year-old Bane <a href="https://andscape.com/features/orlando-magic-guard-desmond-bane-the-perfect-match-for-the-franchise/" rel="noopener">as a “great fit.”</a></p><p>“He adds what we’re missing, and he also adds to what we already have. It’s like the perfect match. We don’t have anybody who can make shots like him, who can kind of leverage the way he is able to make shots, then make plays for others and get downhill and create,” said Banchero in a report from Andscape’s Marc Spears.</p><p>Bane spent five years with the Grizzlies, blossoming into one of the more underrated two-way players in the league. Last season, he averaged 19.2 points, a career-high 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. He also shot a career-best 48.4% from the field.</p><p>The 22-year-old Banchero pointed out that Bane’s physique should bode well for them, even making a bold claim that might raise not a few eyebrows.</p><p>“He’s a Swiss Army knife as a player, as a guard. He is stronger than 99 percent of the guards in the league with how he’s built. He’s going to fit into what we do,” stressed the one-time All-Star.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-paolo-banchero-bold-predictions-2025-26-season">Banchero was limited to just 45 games last season</a> due to a torn oblique. He averaged career-highs of 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds on top of 4.6 assists.</p><p>With Banchero, Bane, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs forming the core, the Magic could abracadabra their way to a third straight appearance in the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Paolo Banchero fires ’99 percent’ claim about Desmond Bane

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-paolo-banchero-bold-predictions-2025-26-season');   ga('set', 'title', '3 Paolo Banchero bold predictions for 2025-26 Magic season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paolo-Banchero.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>3 Paolo Banchero bold predictions for 2025-26 Magic season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-01T08:13:22-07:00">October 1st, 8:13am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-01T08:13:22-07:00">October 1st, 8:13am</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Orlando Magic enter the 2025-26 NBA season under a completely new spotlight. After back-to-back playoff appearances and consecutive first-round exits, the team’s leadership has made it clear: the developmental phase is over. Winning is the only standard. Team president Jeff Weltman doubled down on that message during Media Day, while Paolo <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-expects-monster-2025-26-season-paolo-banchero">Banchero himself welcomed the pressure</a>, saying expectations for greatness are exactly what he wants. Orlando doubled down on their ambitions this summer with the stunning acquisition of Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies, a move that pairs Banchero with one of the league’s premier shooters and playoff-tested performers.</p><p>Now entering his fourth NBA season, Banchero is coming off a year where he averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, showing that he can carry a heavy scoring burden while steadily improving his efficiency. His first two campaigns laid the foundation, but the 2025-26 season will be defined by whether Banchero can elevate from rising star to franchise cornerstone capable of leading deep playoff runs. Here are three bold predictions for what lies ahead.</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero will post his first 27-point scoring average</b></h2><p>The first bold prediction for Banchero is that he will raise his offensive production to new heights, becoming a true 27-point-per-game scorer. While he already took a major leap between his rookie and sophomore seasons, Banchero’s shot profile suggests there is still significant room for growth. His career scoring average sits at 22.4 points across three seasons, but his steady rise from 20.0 as a rookie, to 22.6 in year two, to 25.9 in year three, indicates he has not yet hit his ceiling.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">here is the training camp footage you ordered <a href="https://t.co/rECUwCqFHG">pic.twitter.com/rECUwCqFHG</a></p><p>— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1973210604182937606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The addition of<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-makes-career-high-guarantee-first-orlando-season"> Desmond Bane is particularly significant here</a>. For much of Banchero’s early career, he has faced packed defenses, as Orlando lacked high-level floor spacers who could consistently punish help coverage. With Bane stretching the floor and drawing defensive attention, Banchero will benefit from better driving lanes, more isolation opportunities, and greater space in pick-and-rolls. That added spacing could be the difference between him hovering around 25 points per game and breaking through into the high-20s.</p><p>Another factor is Banchero’s free-throw rate. Last season, he averaged 6.1 attempts per game from the line, hitting at a 72.7 percent clip. If he can get closer to eight attempts nightly while nudging that percentage up toward 77 or 78 percent, that alone could add two to three points per game. Combine that with improved shot selection, particularly from deep, where he shot 32 percent on nearly six attempts a game, and the path to a 27-point scoring average is clear. For a team that will be judged on playoff success, having a forward capable of putting up nightly superstar scoring numbers will be vital.</p><h2><b>Banchero will earn his first All-NBA selection</b></h2><p>For Banchero, individual accolades have always felt secondary to team progress, but 2025-26 could be the year where his personal resume finally catches up with his impact. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the season due to injury, the door is wide open in the Eastern Conference for another forward to stake a claim as one of the league’s best. If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-paolo-banchero-orlando-will-be-judged-on-winning">Banchero carries Orlando to a top-five finish</a> in the East while posting career-high scoring numbers, he will have a legitimate case for his first All-NBA selection.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paolo Banchero continues to put work in this off season </p><p>A 1st team All NBA season is not out of the equation for the 22 year old </p><p> <a href="https://t.co/8cJqdjmBoq">pic.twitter.com/8cJqdjmBoq</a></p><p>— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopHerald/status/1971661927920402889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The All-NBA process often rewards both team success and statistical dominance, and Banchero could be primed to check both boxes. The Magic are no longer a plucky young team hoping to compete; they are being built to win now. The front office’s decision to trade for Bane, while maintaining their core of Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, signals that this roster should be more balanced and dangerous than in previous seasons. A lineup that allows Banchero to both facilitate and dominate scoring could result in Orlando finishing among the top half of the conference, a prerequisite for individual recognition.</p><p>On the numbers front, a stat line of 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game feels realistic. That production would not only make him the centerpiece of Orlando’s attack but would also elevate him into the conversation with established stars across the league. He has already proven capable of producing at high levels in big moments, but now consistency and efficiency are the next hurdles. If he clears them, All-NBA honors will be hard to deny.</p><h2><b>Banchero will lead the Magic to their first playoff series win since 2010</b></h2><p>His growth in the postseason will be critical. In his first two playoff trips, the Magic showed fight but lacked the offensive firepower to close out games against more experienced opponents. This is where <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-couldnt-believe-orlando-desmond-bane-trade">Bane’s addition matters most</a>. Orlando now has a proven playoff scorer to complement Banchero, giving the team a balanced attack that is less predictable in crunch time. Opponents will no longer be able to load up on Banchero without fear of reprisal.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Magic star Paolo Banchero has been in the gym GRINDING this summer 😤</p><p>Predict his averages for next season 👀👇</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/ProHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProHoops</a>)<a href="https://t.co/x7Gj0Q48vO">pic.twitter.com/x7Gj0Q48vO</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1963697950292611533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Defensively, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-confident-claim-orlando-expectations">Banchero has steadily improved</a>, and with Franz Wagner taking many of the toughest assignments, Orlando can afford to maximize Banchero’s energy on offense. If Banchero embraces the pace and efficiency improvements the coaching staff has emphasized, and if his supporting cast continues to grow, Orlando could find itself in a position to win 50 games and secure home-court advantage in the first round. From there, Banchero’s ability to dominate in playoff settings could finally carry the Magic into the second round for the first time in 15 years.</p><p>Ending that drought would cement Banchero’s arrival as not just an elite individual talent but as a franchise player capable of altering the trajectory of a team. For Orlando fans who have waited more than a decade for meaningful playoff success, it would mark the true arrival of the Banchero era.</p><p>If he can deliver on even two of those predictions, the Magic will firmly establish themselves as one of the rising forces in the Eastern Conference. If he delivers on all three, Banchero could enter the conversation as one of the league’s premier young superstars, and Orlando’s long-awaited climb back to contention will truly be underway.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 Paolo Banchero bold predictions for 2025-26 Magic season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-paolo-banchero-orlando-will-be-judged-on-winning');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Paolo Banchero, Magic will be ‘judged on winning’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Apr-20-2025-Boston-Massachusetts-USA-Orlando-Magic-forward-Paolo-Banchero-5-controls-the-ball-while-Boston-Celtics-guard-Jaylen-Brown-7-defends-during-the-first-half-at-TD-Garde.jpg"><figcaption>Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Why Paolo Banchero, Magic will be ‘judged on winning’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-29T09:37:56-07:00">September 29th, 9:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-29T09:38:49-07:00">September 29th, 9:38am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Orlando Magic prepare to open the 2025-26 NBA season, team president Jeff Weltman made clear that the franchise’s young core is now <a href="https://x.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1972681483975283196">being evaluated by one standard</a>: winning. Speaking at media day Monday, Weltman said Paolo Banchero and the rest of the roster understand the expectations placed on them as they enter another pivotal season.</p><p>“The best thing about Paolo is that’s an easy answer – we gotta win. We’re paying these guys because we wanna win and Paolo knows that. If you were to ask him, it’s an easy answer. I feel that, as I alluded to earlier, when you say these guys are 22, 23, you know, 21 years old, you just anticipate growth, growth, growth. At some point even a 29-year-old can get better but not at the same pace you expect these young guys to get better and that’s what is kinda exciting about our team… that a lot of our core guys are under contract for many years and that they have the internal drive to win, even if that means sacrifice.”</p><p>“They’re gonna work, they’re gonna make each other better, but if it means sacrificing, they’re gonna do whatever it takes to win. And so that, honestly [is] the next step for all these guys ultimately. We can talk about shooting percentages, this or that… ultimately, they all know that we are all going to be judged on for winning.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman on Paolo Banchero and the growth of the team 🎙️ <a href="https://t.co/VqWOcPwdck">pic.twitter.com/VqWOcPwdck</a></p><p>— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1972681483975283196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Magic solidify core with major extensions and blockbuster Desmond Bane trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desmond-Bane-22-moves-the-ball-in-front-of-Orlando-Magic-center-Goga-Bitadze-35.jpg"><figcaption>© Mike Watters-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The remarks underscored Orlando’s transition from a rebuilding franchise to one aiming for sustained contention. After back-to-back playoff appearances, the organization has committed significant resources to secure its foundation.</p><p>This summer, Orlando acquired <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-rooting-for-grizzlies-despite-orlando-trade">Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in a blockbuster trade</a>, adding a proven scorer and outside shooting threat to complement Banchero and Franz Wagner. The move came shortly before the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-agrees-five-year-max-contract-unique-option">Magic signed Banchero to a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie contract extension</a> that could escalate to $287 million with incentives.</p><p>Bane, who signed a five-year, $207 million extension with Memphis in 2023 before being traded, joins a roster already secured with long-term commitments. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-franz-wagner-224-million-contract-extension">Wagner signed his own five-year, $224 million rookie extension</a> last year following Orlando’s 2024 playoff run, a deal that could climb to $269 million. Guard <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/jalen-suggs-drops-shocking-revelation-after-150-5-million-contract-extension">Jalen Suggs also inked a five-year, $150.5 million rookie extension</a> in October 2024, days before the start of last season.</p><h2><b>Jeff Weltman sets winning standard as Paolo Banchero leads Magic into 2025-26</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Paolo-Banchero-5-and-forward-Franz-Wagner-22-celebrate-after-a-basket.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The financial investment reflects Orlando’s confidence in a young core that has grown together under head coach Jamahl Mosley. Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in 2022, has emerged as the centerpiece, earning Rookie of the Year in 2023 and an All-Star selection in 2024. Wagner and Suggs have established themselves as key two-way contributors, while Bane’s arrival adds perimeter scoring and postseason experience.</p><p>The Magic are looking to build on consecutive postseason appearances. In 2024, they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the first round. Last season, they fell to the Boston Celtics in five games, though Banchero averaged 29.4 points per game in the series.</p><p>Now, with their roster locked into lucrative long-term deals, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-confident-claim-orlando-expectations">Magic enter 2025-26 with higher expectations</a> than at any point in the last decade. Weltman’s message left little doubt: the time for development has given way to the time for results.</p><p>Orlando opens the season at the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-explains-what-separates-him-from-stephen-curry">KIA Center on Oct. 22 against the Miami Heat</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Paolo Banchero, Magic will be ‘judged on winning’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-confident-claim-orlando-expectations');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paolo Banchero drops confident claim on Magic’s expectations');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Paolo-Banchero-Magic.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Paolo Banchero drops confident claim on Magic’s expectations</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T12:05:55-07:00">September 27th, 12:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T12:05:55-07:00">September 27th, 12:05pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With training camp opening Tuesday, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero expressed confidence that his team is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6667224/2025/09/27/paolo-banchero-orlando-magic-expectations/" rel="noopener">prepared to meet heightened expectations</a> for the 2025-26 NBA season.</p><p>In an interview with The Athletic, Banchero welcomed the external pressure placed on both himself and the organization following back-to-back playoff appearances and an offseason that reshaped the roster.</p><p>“Honestly, that’s like music to my ears,” Banchero said. “Let’s just say I’m very relieved to have some real expectations for our team and for myself. I think, just as a competitor, as a winner, as a player, you want to be expected to be great.”</p><p>The 22-year-old forward emphasized that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-expects-monster-2025-26-season-paolo-banchero">Magic’s recent playoff experience</a>, including consecutive first-round exits, has prepared them for the next step.</p><p>“I think the sky is our limit,” Banchero said. “We’ve had our experiences in the playoffs, losing in the first round for two years. We brought guys in who made deep runs in the playoffs and been on some good teams. So I think we can go as far as we allow ourselves to go. The one thing you don’t want to do is beat yourself. Being a younger team, you have to be able to correct mistakes on the fly and in the moment.”</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero says Magic have roster built to make NBA Finals run</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Franz-Wagner-Paolo-Banchero.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Banchero outlined his belief that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-desmond-bane-no-limits-orlando-after-grizzlies-trade">Orlando should be positioned among the Eastern Conference’s contenders</a>.</p><p>“I think we should be a deep playoff team. Hopefully, that means Finals. But if it’s anything shorter than that, then Eastern Conference finals. I want to play deep into the playoffs. I think that we have a deep roster. It’s easy to sit here and tell you this right now, but we’ve got to go out there and play the season and win those games when those games come. That’s what I’m excited for. But honestly speaking — seeing our team, seeing the guys so far — it’s early, but I think we have the type of team that can make a run to the Finals.”</p><p>The former No. 1 overall pick has quickly become the centerpiece of Orlando’s resurgence since entering the league in 2022. Banchero was named Rookie of the Year in 2023 and earned his first All-Star appearance in 2024, helping lead the Magic to a 47-35 record that season — the franchise’s best mark since 2010-11.</p><p>Last season, despite being limited to 46 games with a torn oblique, Banchero averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He further elevated his play in the postseason, averaging 29.4 points against the Boston Celtics in Orlando’s first-round series.</p><p>Orlando enters camp with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-drops-steady-rock-take-tyus-jones">new additions Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones</a> joining the roster, giving head coach Jamahl Mosley more depth around Banchero and Franz Wagner. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-what-desmond-bane-regrets-about-orlando-europe-trip">Bane, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies</a>, is expected to provide perimeter scoring and experience to a team that has already established one of the NBA’s top young cores.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-couldnt-believe-orlando-desmond-bane-trade">Magic will open their season at the KIA Center</a> on Oct. 22 against the Miami Heat.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paolo Banchero drops confident claim on Magic’s expectations

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-couldnt-believe-orlando-desmond-bane-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paolo Banchero admits he ‘couldn’t believe’ Magic’s Desmond Bane trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Paolo-Banchero-admits-he-couldnt-believe-Magics-Desmond-Bane-trade.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Paolo Banchero admits he ‘couldn’t believe’ Magic’s Desmond Bane trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-27T11:57:49-07:00">September 27th, 11:57am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-27T11:57:49-07:00">September 27th, 11:57am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Orlando Magic prepare to open training camp Tuesday ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, star forward Paolo Banchero admitted he was stunned by the team’s biggest offseason move. The 22-year-old said he “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6667224/2025/09/27/paolo-banchero-orlando-magic-expectations/" rel="noopener">couldn’t believe</a>” Orlando had pulled off the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-expects-monster-2025-26-season-paolo-banchero">trade to acquire guard Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies</a>.</p><p>In an interview with The Athletic, Banchero recalled his reaction upon learning the news.</p><p>“I just didn’t believe it,” Banchero said. “I had a feeling we were going to make a trade. But I felt like there were some guys that were kind of up on the list of who we would maybe trade for, at least in my head, and Desmond Bane was not one of them.”</p><p>The former No. 1 overall pick admitted his surprise quickly turned into excitement once he processed the deal.</p><p>“So when I heard that one, I was like, ‘Desmond Bane!’ I was like, ‘S—, he’s a hell of a player.’ I was excited. Obviously, he was in the West, so (we didn’t) play him too much, but every time we played Memphis, man, he’d give it to us. And I just liked his whole demeanor and how he played, shooting the 3.”</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-reveals-wild-timing-of-when-orlando-trade-went-down">Magic landed Bane on Father’s Day in a blockbuster deal</a> that sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap to Memphis. The trade gave Orlando a proven perimeter scorer to slot alongside Banchero and Franz Wagner as the franchise looks to push deeper into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero says Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones bring experience Magic need to contend</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Paolo-Banchero-drives-to-the-basket-as-Memphis-Grizzlies-guard-Desmond-Bane-defends.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Banchero said the addition of Bane, along with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-drops-steady-rock-take-tyus-jones">signing of veteran guard Tyus Jones</a>, will have a significant impact on the team’s development this season.</p><p>“I think it’s going to do wonders,” Banchero said. “I think it’s going to do a lot of great things, not only on the court but off the court, just with the way they are as people and how they’re able to kind of control a room. They talk with so much experience that you listen to them. Both of them offensively are just really experienced players, and they just know how to play. They have great feels for the game, feels for the court, when to make plays, when to shoot, when to drive.”</p><p>The 2023 Rookie of the Year and 2024 All-Star enters the season as the centerpiece of Orlando’s resurgence. He has already led the Magic to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a 47-win campaign in 2023-24, the franchise’s best regular-season mark since the Dwight Howard era. Last season, Banchero averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game despite being limited to 46 appearances due to a torn oblique.</p><p>With Bane and Jones now in the fold, Orlando begins training camp with heightened expectations. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-what-desmond-bane-regrets-about-orlando-europe-trip">Magic open their season at home against the Miami Heat</a> on Oct. 22 at the KIA Center.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paolo Banchero admits he ‘couldn’t believe’ Magic’s Desmond Bane trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-expects-monster-2025-26-season-paolo-banchero');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic’s Desmond Bane expects ‘monster’ 2025-26 season from Paolo Banchero');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Paolo-Banchero-drives-to-the-basket-as-Memphis-Grizzlies-guard-Desmond-Bane-defends.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic’s Desmond Bane expects ‘monster’ 2025-26 season from Paolo Banchero</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-26T08:32:43-07:00">September 26th, 8:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-26T08:32:43-07:00">September 26th, 8:32am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-why-desmond-bane-no-limits-orlando-after-grizzlies-trade">Orlando Magic prepare to open the 2025-26 NBA season</a>, newly acquired guard Desmond Bane believes teammate <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-mike-miller-says-paolo-banchero-at-the-tip-of-iceberg">Paolo Banchero is on the verge of taking another leap forward</a>.</p><p>Bane, who joined Orlando in a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-reveals-wild-timing-of-when-orlando-trade-went-down">blockbuster trade from the Memphis Grizzlies</a> earlier this summer, shared his expectations for Banchero on The Kevin O’Connor Show. With less than a month before the Magic host the Miami Heat in their season opener on Oct. 22 at the KIA Center, Bane pointed to Banchero’s <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1970717109648007474" rel="noopener">mindset and hunger</a> entering his fourth NBA campaign.</p><p>“We just had a team mini-camp in Vegas, he’s gonna be a monster,” Bane said. “And the thing that I like about him a lot is he’s very selfless, like he just wants to win. I expect a big season out of him and I think he expects a big season out of himself. More than anything, I just feel the hunger that he has coming into this season so I’m super excited to get around him and happy to complement his skillset.”</p><p>Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has emerged as the face of the franchise. He won Rookie of the Year in 2023, earned his first All-Star appearance in 2024, and has guided Orlando to consecutive postseason appearances. The Magic’s 47-win campaign in 2023-24 marked the team’s best regular-season finish since the Dwight Howard era.</p><p>Banchero built on that momentum last season despite being limited to 46 games due to a torn oblique. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field and 32% from three across 34.4 minutes per contest.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I think that I’ll definitely be at career numbers as far as [3-point] attempts go.”</p><p>Desmond Bane on his new role with the Magic 🗣</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YahooSports</a>)<a href="https://t.co/2McWBIgc6h">pic.twitter.com/2McWBIgc6h</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1970717109648007474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Desmond Bane predicts big year for Paolo Banchero as Magic aim to contend</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Paolo-Banchero-5-reacts-after-a-play-against-the-Atlanta-Hawks.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In the playoffs, Banchero elevated his performance further. During Orlando’s first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, he averaged 29.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc across five games. Despite the loss, his production underscored his ability to rise to postseason competition.</p><p>Bane, who has averaged 16.9 points and 40 percent shooting from three over his career, is expected to play a critical role in complementing Banchero and Franz Wagner as the Magic’s offense continues to develop. His addition, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-nba-free-agency-grades-for-every-signing">alongside veteran guard Tyus Jones</a>, adds more scoring depth and experience to a roster that has leaned heavily on its young core.</p><p>During the same appearance, Bane also praised the Magic’s defensive foundation and roster balance.</p><p>“I think they have a unique roster. The size that they have on this roster is unreal. I mean you look at Jalen Suggs, a big guard, Anthony Black’s a bigger guard, and then next to them you have 6’10 wings and forwards so it’s no secret to why they were such a good defensive team. I’m super excited, the guys are really good guys – seems like we have a chance to do something special.”</p><p>With Bane in the fold and Banchero entering his prime years, Orlando will look to extend its postseason streak and contend deeper in the Eastern Conference.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic’s Desmond Bane expects ‘monster’ 2025-26 season from Paolo Banchero

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-mike-miller-says-paolo-banchero-at-the-tip-of-iceberg');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mike Miller says Magic star Paolo Banchero is only at the ‘tip of the iceberg’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Paolo-Banchero-5-drives-to-the-basket-against-Washington-Wizards-forward-Kyshawn-George-18.jpg"><figcaption>© Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Mike Miller says Magic star Paolo Banchero is only at the ‘tip of the iceberg’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-13T08:52:14-07:00">September 13th, 8:52am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-13T08:52:14-07:00">September 13th, 8:52am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-orlando-ready-next-playoff-step-after-offseason-moves">Orlando Magic prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season</a>, two-time NBA champion and player agent Mike Miller believes star forward Paolo Banchero has only begun to tap into his potential.</p><p>In the first episode of The 5tandard, Miller described Banchero as being at the “<a href="https://youtu.be/yAQAJ1WmDys?si=TjBXVlIPxatUTlVr" rel="noopener">tip of the iceberg</a>” as he enters his fourth NBA season.</p><p>“Tip of the iceberg,” Miller said when asked how talented Banchero is. “Paolo’s biggest thing was just, ‘How can I be the best basketball player?’ Like he just cared about basketball. That’s rare.”</p><p>Miller continued by emphasizing Banchero’s passion and commitment to improving his game.</p><p>“He’s just beginning to understand how freaking good he is. The one thing I’ll say about him and why I’ll bet on him all day long is cause he absolutely loves it and dives into it,” Miller said. “I think he’s this new era. He’s 6’10”-6’11”, 270, moves like a guard, plays like a guard. I think he has a chance to be one of the best. I would bet everything that he’s going to be one of those dudes that we talk about for the longest time.”</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero leads Magic’s resurgence with eyes on next step</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Paolo-Banchero-and-Jayson-Tatum.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has quickly become the face of the franchise. He won Rookie of the Year in 2023 and earned his first All-Star selection the following season. His emergence has helped guide Orlando to consecutive postseason appearances, marking the franchise’s most consistent stretch of success in over a decade.</p><p>During the 2023-24 campaign, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-makes-expensive-promise-in-order-to-win-nba-championship">Banchero helped lead the Magic to a 47-35 record</a>, the team’s best since the Dwight Howard era in 2010-11. Despite being limited to just 46 games last season, he averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. He has already established himself as one of the league’s premier young forwards.</p><p>The Magic continued to build around their 22-year-old cornerstone this summer. In June, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-draymond-green-reaction-to-desmond-bane-trade">team acquired guard Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in a blockbuster trade</a> and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-nba-free-agency-grades-for-every-signing">added veteran guard Tyus Jones</a> to solidify the backcourt. With those moves, Orlando positioned itself as a rising contender in the Eastern Conference.</p><p>Banchero now enters his fourth year with heightened expectations and the endorsement of a trusted mentor in Miller, who has closely observed his development. Miller’s remarks highlight the belief that Banchero is not just a centerpiece for Orlando, but potentially one of the defining players of his generation.</p><p>Orlando will open its season on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the KIA Center against the Miami Heat.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mike Miller says Magic star Paolo Banchero is only at the ‘tip of the iceberg’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/ncaa-basketball/duke-basketball-news-cooper-flagg-paolo-banchero-scrimmaging-blue-devils-excite-fans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cooper Flagg, Paolo Banchero scrimmaging with Duke basketball will excite fans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Flagg-shoots.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cooper Flagg, Paolo Banchero scrimmaging with Duke basketball will excite fans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T10:53:48-07:00">September 9th, 10:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T10:53:48-07:00">September 9th, 10:53am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NCAA Basketball</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-basketball/duke-basketball-news-blue-devils-make-2025-26-announcement">Duke basketball program is currently</a> preparing for the upcoming 2025 college basketball season, which is slated to begin in around two months. Duke is entering a bit of a transitional year after several key players, including multiple first round picks, departed for the NBA Draft this past offseason.</p><p>One of those first round picks<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-cooper-flagg-generational-talent"> was Cooper Flagg</a>, who was drafted number one overall by the Dallas Mavericks this summer.</p><p>Recently, Flagg and fellow former Duke player and number one overall draft pick Paolo Banchero, now a star with the Orlando Magic, were spotted at the Blue Devils practice<a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1965466688171933826" rel="noopener"> scrimmaging with some</a> of the current members of the team.</p><p>(Via @DukeTWTClips on X, formerly Twitter).</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero scrimmaging with the current Duke roster with Jayson Tatum watching 👀🙌 </p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/DukeTWTClips?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DukeTWTClips</a>)<a href="https://t.co/PvipypttNP">pic.twitter.com/PvipypttNP</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1965466688171933826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Also in attendance was Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who was watching from the sidelines as he recovers from the torn ACL injury he suffered during last year’s NBA playoffs vs the New York Knicks.</p><p>Overall, playing against elite NBA competition is sure to help the current members of the Duke basketball team as they prepare to embark on another season.</p><p>Duke fans are getting restless for a national championship as they once again came up short in the 2024-25 season, this time falling in the Final Four against the Houston Cougars.</p><p>Duke was actually leading that game for the majority of the way but completely fell apart down the stretch, which, combined with some hot shooting from Houston, ultimately lost them the game.</p><p>Flagg had a chance to hit an iconic shot late in the game that would have given the Blue Devils the lead, but unfortunately for Duke fans, he ended up missing it and taking his talents to the NBA not long after.</p><p>In any case, Duke basketball is slated to kick off its 2025 campaign against the Texas Longhorns on November 4 in what should be a fun matchup.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cooper Flagg, Paolo Banchero scrimmaging with Duke basketball will excite fans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-orlando-ready-next-playoff-step-after-offseason-moves');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paolo Banchero, Magic ready for next playoff step after key offseason moves');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Paolo-Banchero-Orlando-ready-for-next-playoff-step-after-key-offseason-moves1.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Paolo Banchero, Magic ready for next playoff step after key offseason moves</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T12:57:40-07:00">September 4th, 12:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T12:57:40-07:00">September 4th, 12:57pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-franz-wagner-ready-to-make-their-mark-per-assistant-coach">Orlando Magic enter the 2025-26 NBA season with heightened expectations</a> following an offseason that brought in much-needed reinforcements. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-espn-predicts-orlando-to-land-this-seed-wide-open-east">back-to-back first-round playoff exits</a>, the franchise believes it has taken the steps necessary to advance deeper into the postseason, with star forward Paolo Banchero voicing his confidence in the team’s direction.</p><p>Banchero, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, recently appeared on The Brotherhood Podcast with Cam Boozer and <a href="https://youtu.be/uN-ou0w_dG0?si=ohht_GZIT1xH8Zt3" rel="noopener">highlighted the additions</a> of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones as pivotal moves for a roster looking to mature into an Eastern Conference contender.</p><p>“Really excited about the pickups. Obviously, Desmond Bane: hell of a player. And then, Tyus: me always admiring his game. I remember him being in Memphis and him being like the best second unit player in the whole league at one point. And so, really excited to have him: a veteran presence and just a true point guard. We’ve been in the playoffs the last two years — two First Round exits — and so I feel like we needed some more experience, some more guys that been deeper in the playoffs and know what it takes to get there,” Banchero said.</p><h2><b>Desmond Bane’s shooting, Tyus Jones’ playmaking target Magic’s playoff shortcomings</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desmond-Bane-and-Tyus-Jones.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-draymond-green-reaction-to-desmond-bane-trade">acquisition of Bane came in a Father’s Day blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies</a>, which sent Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks, and a pick swap to Memphis. Bane averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.4% from the field and 39.2% from three across 69 games in his fifth season with Memphis. Over his career, he has connected on 41% of his attempts from beyond the arc, providing the perimeter scoring and floor spacing that Orlando had long been missing.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-nba-free-agency-grades-for-every-signing">Jones, meanwhile, joined the Magic in free agency</a> after averaging 10.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 44.8% from the field and 41.4% from three in 81 games with the Phoenix Suns last season, his 10th in the NBA. Known for his efficiency and low turnover rate, he is expected to provide stability, depth, and guidance alongside Jalen Suggs, who earned All-Defensive honors in 2023-24 before being limited to 35 games last season with a knee injury.</p><p>Banchero emphasized how the Magic’s recent playoff shortcomings have fueled the team’s determination to progress.</p><p>“And so bringing those two in, it’s going to help us a lot: us being a younger team, needing that experience. I’m really excited, bro. I think it’s like you gotta go through stages in the league, you gotta lose a certain amount before you can win. And so I feel like losing first two years in the First Round, it just makes you hungrier for what’s next. I think it’s going to be a big year four,” he said.</p><h2><b>Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner set to lead dynamic duo’s pivotal season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Paolo-Banchero-5-reacts-with-forward-Franz-Wagner-22-after-making-a-shot.jpg"><figcaption>© Rob Gray-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Banchero enters his fourth season following a year in which he averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists despite missing time with a torn oblique. Running alongside him, Franz Wagner delivered a career-best 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists before suffering the same injury. Both are expected to return fully healthy, giving Orlando one of the league’s most dynamic young duos.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-26-season-predictions-after-schedule-release">Magic will open the 2025-26 season on Wednesday, October 22</a>, when they host the Miami Heat at the KIA Center. With Banchero, Wagner, and a retooled supporting cast, Orlando is positioned not only to return to the postseason but to contend for its first playoff series victory in over a decade.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paolo Banchero, Magic ready for next playoff step after key offseason moves

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-franz-wagner-ready-to-make-their-mark-per-assistant-coach');   ga('set', 'title', 'Magic stars Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner ‘ready to make their mark,’ per assistant coach');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Magic-stars-Paolo-Banchero-Franz-Wagner-%E2%80%98ready-to-make-their-mark-per-assistant-coach.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Magic stars Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner ‘ready to make their mark,’ per assistant coach</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T14:15:50-07:00">September 2nd, 2:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T14:15:50-07:00">September 2nd, 2:15pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the 2025-26 NBA season just 50 days away, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-espn-predicts-orlando-to-land-this-seed-wide-open-east">Orlando Magic are preparing to build on their growing momentum</a> in the Eastern Conference. Assistant coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/beloved-mavericks-assistant-to-join-magic-coaching-staff">God Shammgod, who joined the team earlier this summer</a>, believes the franchise’s young core, led by star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, is prepared to take another significant step.</p><p>In an interview with NBC’s Kurt Helin promoting his new book Word of God, Shammgod <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/orlandos-god-shammgod-says-banchero-wagner-magic-ready-to-make-their-mark" rel="noopener">expressed confidence</a> in the Magic’s rising stars.</p><p>“Paolo and Franz and them, they’re coming into their own right now,” Shammgod said. “They’re at the right age where they still young, but they, they young enough to dare. Dare to be great. And I, I believe like Paolo and Franz is going to be great, but Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, we got Tyus Jones. Now we got, we got so many great players.</p><h2><b>God Shammgod says Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner are ready to lead Magic’s rise</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Franz-Wagner-Paolo-Banchero.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“And they all right. And I feel like right now they all are ready to make their mark. So I’m just happy and honored to be a part of it.”</p><p>Banchero and Wagner headline one of the most promising young rosters in the league. Banchero, entering his fourth NBA season, averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last year despite missing significant time with a torn oblique. Wagner, who signed a five-year extension in 2024, delivered a career-high 24.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game before suffering the same injury.</p><p>In international play, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/eurobasket-news-goga-bitadze-sparks-georgia-with-eurobasket-win-over-cyprus">Wagner is currently leading Germany to a perfect 4-0 start at FIBA EuroBasket 2025</a>, with the team recently becoming the first to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/eurobasket-news-franz-wagner-germany-past-lithuania-clinch-round-of-16-eurobasket">clinch a spot in the Round of 16</a>. Both forwards are expected to return fully healthy this season, giving the Magic the star power needed to compete with the East’s elite.</p><p>Shammgod’s arrival in Orlando marked a reunion with head coach Jamahl Mosley. The two previously coached together with the Dallas Mavericks, and their relationship dates back to their teenage years. Shammgod praised Mosley’s relentless approach and commitment to player development.</p><h2><b>Shammgod praises Jamahl Mosley’s work ethic as Magic bolster roster for 2025-26</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Jamahl-Mosley-speaks-to-forward-Paolo-Banchero-5-in-the-first-half-against-the-Toronto-Raptors.jpg"><figcaption>© Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“I knew him when we both was teenagers, because when I was a freshman at Providence, he visited Providence. So that’s full circle,” Shammgod said of Mosley. “Like for me and him coaching at Dallas together, he just got such a great passion and such.</p><p>“He’s so about the work. You know what I’m saying? There’s not too many people I could say, that’s all about the work. Like, forget all the accolades, forget all that stuff. Like, he’s all about the work and all about winning and all about pouring into the kids. And I think that’s what me and him share in common the most.”</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-nba-free-agency-grades-for-every-signing">Magic’s offseason moves have only added to the optimism</a>. The franchise acquired sharpshooter <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-desmond-bane-return-game-vs-grizzlies-announced">Desmond Bane in a blockbuster trade with Memphis</a>, signed veteran guard Tyus Jones, drafted Jase Richardson, and re-signed big man Moritz Wagner. Jalen Suggs, who was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023-24, is also expected to return after being limited to 35 games last season due to a knee injury. With Anthony Black continuing his development, Orlando has blended youthful talent with experienced depth.</p><p>Orlando will open the 2025-26 season at the KIA Center on October 22, hosting the Miami Heat. Entering with higher expectations than at any point in the last decade, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/orlando-magic-2025-26-season-predictions-after-schedule-release">Magic are widely projected to surpass 50 wins and contend in the East</a>. For Shammgod, the combination of Banchero, Wagner, and an emerging supporting cast signals a team poised to leave its mark on the league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Magic stars Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner ‘ready to make their mark,’ per assistant coach

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/orlando-magic/grading-paolo-bancheros-239-million-magic-contract-extension');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grading Paolo Banchero’s $239 million Magic contract extension');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Paolo-Banchero-Magic.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Grading Paolo Banchero’s $239 million Magic contract extension</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-08T13:55:48-07:00">July 8th, 1:55pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-08T13:55:48-07:00">July 8th, 1:55pm</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/magic-news-paolo-banchero-agrees-five-year-max-contract-unique-option">now given him a </a><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/magic-news-paolo-banchero-agrees-five-year-max-contract-unique-option">$239 million rookie max extension</a>, potentially rising to $287 million with supermax incentives. It is a franchise-defining move that showcases trust in the team’s philosophy and core values. </p><p>The Magic roster battled through adversity throughout the 2024-25 season, finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference despite significant injuries to key players Banchero and Franz Wagner. The short but telling message confirmed what many in the league suspected: <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-extension-instagram-reaction">Banchero is the face of the franchise moving forward</a>. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">locked in 🤝</p><p>yeahhhhh P5 <a href="https://t.co/KwgdYOuInJ">pic.twitter.com/KwgdYOuInJ</a></p><p>— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1942375489747787928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The former Duke standout and Rookie of the Year missed 34 games with a torn oblique but returned late in the year to help power Orlando’s playoff push. </p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-paolo-banchero-agrees-five-year-max-contract-unique-option">deal also has a player option for Banchero</a> in 2030-31 — the first time a rookie max extension has had a player option since 2021, when Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) completed their rookie max contracts. Either way, the Magic have made one thing clear: Banchero is the centerpiece of their future, and they’re locked in for the long haul.</p><h2><b>Grading Paolo Banchero’s max extension with the Magic</b></h2><p>Paolo Banchero’s NBA journey has been a blend of rapid ascension, adversity, and evolution. From winning Rookie of the Year to becoming a playoff-tested leader and now the recipient of one of the richest rookie extensions in NBA history, his path reflects a rare trajectory.</p><p>Banchero is no longer just the promising No. 1 pick; he’s the face of a franchise and a cornerstone for a team aiming to rise in the Eastern Conference hierarchy. If health stays on his side, the league could very well be watching the early chapters of an MVP-caliber career unfold in Orlando.</p><p>With a five-year, $239 million extension signed in July 2025 – potentially reaching $287 million if he earns All-NBA honors, like All-NBA team, or earns MVP or Defensive Player of the Year – Banchero is officially the face of the Orlando Magic for the long haul.</p><p>Entering his fourth season in 2025–26, he will be surrounded by a revamped, talented roster featuring Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and newly acquired sharpshooter Desmond Bane. The Magic are banking on Banchero not just to be great, but to lead them deep into the playoffs and beyond.</p><p><b>Grade A</b></p><h2><b>From 1st pick to the Max: the evolution of Paolo Banchero </b></h2><p>When the Magic selected Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, there was immediate buzz surrounding the 6-foot-10 forward out of Duke. Banchero entered the league with the body of an NBA veteran, the vision of a point forward, and the swagger of a future All-Star. Over three seasons, he not only met expectations but also redefined them, transforming from a talented rookie into a franchise centerpiece worthy of a $239 million rookie max extension in 2025.</p><p>The 2024–25 campaign <a href="https://www.espn.in/nba/story/_/id/45690598/paolo-banchero-magic-agree-five-year-rookie-max-extension" rel="noopener">marked Banchero’s true breakout into NBA superstardom.</a> Despite an oblique injury that sidelined him for over 34 games, his production when healthy was elite. He was setting high averages of 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds to go with 4.8 assists. He returned in February post-injury and immediately boosted Orlando’s offense. The Magic finished 41–41, good for the 7th seed, and faced the Celtics in the first round. While Orlando lost the series 1–4, Banchero was spectacular, averaging 29.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, and routinely breaking down one of the league’s best defenses.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paolo is celebrating his new max contract extension by… hitting the gym. 🪄 <a href="https://t.co/ePqJdyvSfa">pic.twitter.com/ePqJdyvSfa</a></p><p>— Orlando Magic HQ (@OMagicHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMagicHQ/status/1942443228931695101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Beyond the stats, Paolo emerged as a vocal leader and community figure. He embraced Orlando, became a mentor to younger players, and handled pressure with a calm, mature demeanor. Whether facing elite defenders or late-game decisions, he played with high IQ and unshakeable confidence.</p><p>Coaches lauded his work ethic, film study, and self-criticism. Teammates pointed to him as the team’s emotional and strategic anchor. The season solidified his status: not just a star, but the face of the franchise. His extension followed soon after.</p><h2>Magic’s 2025 offseason moves: trade, free agency &amp; draft</h2><p>Banchero began drawing double- and triple-teams consistently, forcing Orlando to rethink its spacing. That led directly to the team trading for Bane in the 2025 offseason. The Magic acquired the sharpshooter from Memphis, offering up KCP, Cole Anthony, and four future first-round picks – including multiple unprotected selections.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Free agent forward/center Moe Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the Orlando Magic, sources tell ESPN. Wagner's agent, Jason Glushon, reached the new contract with Magic executives on Friday. <a href="https://t.co/YInqnHBFef">pic.twitter.com/YInqnHBFef</a></p><p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1941127369869361536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Meanwhile, they also <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-bringing-back-moe-wagner-1-year-deal">re-signed forward/center Moe Wagner</a> on a one-year, $5 million deal. The move, made by the Magic during free agency, keeps one of the team’s most productive and energetic reserves as they continue building toward playoff contention. Free agent guard Tyus Jones agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal.</p><p>Even after making the blockbuster trade for Bane, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-news-orlando-pick-former-player-son-nba-draft">drafted Jase Richardson at No. 25 from Michigan State</a>, their only first-round pick. The pick is significant not only because of his talent, but because his father, Jason, played for the Magic during his NBA career.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jase Richardson &amp; Noah Penda 🪄</p><p>What magic will they bring to Orlando? <a href="https://t.co/HJVmZ15FSH">pic.twitter.com/HJVmZ15FSH</a></p><p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1940555143273239024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>They also added Noah Penda from a trade with the Celtics on draft day. At 6-foot-8, Penda has the size and length to play either forward spot. He is comfortable posting up and either creating his shot or creating open looks for teammates who are either cutting or spotting up from 3. Defensively, Penda can recover quickly and block shots at the rim as a quality help defender.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
22.8	8.5	2.0	1.5	0.5

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
22.8	8.5	2.0	1.5	0.5

Paolo Banchero news

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