The Orlando Magic have one of the best young duos Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The two forwards are averaging over 20 points per game, pushing the Magic to a 16-8 record in the Eastern Conference standings. In the latest episode of “Run It Back,” former NBA player Chandler Parsons shuts down the narrative of the two stars excelling separately.
With the emergence of the two forwards, Parsons believes Orlando can benefit from having the two players in one organization. The former Houston Rockets forward doesn’t think the Magic should decide and focus on just one player.
“I’m not ready to say, ‘Franz [Wagner] is better, I’d rather have Franz.’ They’re blessed to have both of them,” Parsons said. “To have these two wings that are that young going forward, that are so versatile, the length and their size and how they can score the basketball, this team is in great shape just having this dynamic duo go forward.”
“This is just classic media. This is like [Jaylen] Brown and [Jayson] Tatum, we’re trying to drive something in between them. Who cares?”
“This is just classic media. This is like Brown and Tatum trying to drive something between them like who cares… they are just good.”
Chandler Parsons doesn't think the Magic have to choose between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner🗣️
(via @RunItBackFDTV)
pic.twitter.com/T9gsMscAbG— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 5, 2024
“‘Can they be good together?’ And then Paolo’s gonna come back and Franz is gonna have a 12-point game… There’s a world where they both can just average 22 to 27 a game and be one of the best duos in the NBA for years to come, that’s very possible.”
Banchero has been limited to five games this season as he deals with a torn right oblique. Before getting hurt, the former Duke star was putting up 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists. Without their star forward, Wagner has picked up the slack and is averaging more than 20 points for the first time. The German forward is averaging 24.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Orlando Magic forward takes over the NBA Cup MVP Race
The Orlando Magic has captured a 3-1 record in the Emirates NBA Cup and qualified for the Knockout Rounds. The Milwaukee Bucks, who finished 4-0 in the Group Stage of the In-Season Tournament, will be their opponent.
Atop the MVP candidates is Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner, who’s averaging 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in four games. Defensively, he’s made his mark, averaging 2.5 steals.
In his appearance on the “Jim Rome Show,” Wagner spoke about his experience playing for the Magic for a chance to win the NBA Cup.
“I love it, honestly. I think it definitely adds something,” Wagner said. “We’ve played four games so far; the other night in New York, we didn’t play our best game but that really felt like a playoff game from the atmosphere, everything else around it. I think to have those moments during the season is super fun, and I think everyone that’s in it now really wants to go to Vegas.”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
