Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero recently appeared on ESPN’s First Take to discuss several topics, including his outlook for his team in the 2024-25 campaign. According to the 21-year-old, the Orlando Magic are “trying to make some noise” next season.
“We feel like we’re right there with all those (top) teams. I remember last year we started the year off as a top two, top three seed and everybody thought we were a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a play-in team, but we finished strong and got the fifth seed,” Banchero said via Fawzan Amer on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“We got better this year. I got better. We got some new pieces that’s gonna help a lot. We’re tryna make some noise. I think we should easily be a top four, top three team and have a chance to win the East.” he concluded.
As Paolo Banchero pointed out, the Orlando Magic finished the 2023-24 regular season with a 47-35 record. They took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round but ultimately ran out of gas.
This summer, the Orlando Magic bolstered their roster with the additions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph via free agency. They also re-signed Goga Bitadze, Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac, Moritz Wagner, and Franz Wagner to multiyear deals to keep their core intact.
Orlando Magic will do better in 2024-25
With a good mix of veterans and youngsters, the Orlando Magic can have a better season in 2024-25 than in 2023-24, although they’ll face the challenge of competing in a tougher Eastern Conference.
Credit: AP Photo
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will continue to lead the way for Orlando, and they’re fresh from robust campaigns in 2023-24.
In 80 regular season games during his sophomore NBA season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 45.5 percent shooting from the field. Wagner, meanwhile, averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals on 48.2 percent shooting in 72 regular season matches.
