Amid the news of 2022 No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero‘s imminent return, the Orlando Magic can breathe easier. Since he went down with an oblique injury, the ‘next man up’ mentality has been their best friend.
Initially, it was 2021 No. 8 pick Franz Wagner, who Banchero usurped as face of the franchise. Then 2021 No. 5 pick Jalen Suggs and 2023 No. 6 pick Anthony Black began to step it up. Now, 2020 No. 15 pick Cole Anthony and 2024 No. 18 pick Tristan Da Silva have also joined the party. With Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley instilling confidence in his players and continuing to emphasize the defensive end, Orlando is currently 22-16, fourth in the East.
Considering that Banchero has only played five games this season, that’s extraordinary. In fact, it’s so impressive, Mosley should probably be the frontrunner for the 2024-25 Coach of the Year Award. Ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, whose team is 31-4 after a historic start. Ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, who won the award last season and whose team is 30-5.
Magic’s Paolo Banchero Can Still Make All-Star Push
If Banchero hits the ground running, Mosley shouldn’t be the only Magic member with an opportunity to be honored.
Though the 2025 NBA All-Star Game will feature a new tournament-style format, the voting process will remain the same. 50 percent of the votes for the All-Star starters will come from the fans, 25 percent will come from current players, and 25 percent will come from the media. The All-Star reserves will be selected by NBA head coaches.
Because there are no game minimums, this gives Banchero a legitimate chance to be named as an All-Star. Orlando only has 18 games remaining before the All-Star Break begins, but that should be enough for him to make a firm impression on voters. Though may not suit up in all of them, he could be hovering around 20 games played by the time the final votes are tallied. Frankly, the recency bias that permeates NBA discourse might only make the timing of his return even better. As does Wagner’s absence.
Fans and less casual observers aren’t amnesiacs. Recent memories are just fresher. To that point, there are people who haven’t forgotten that Banchero is averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in 2024-25. No matter what season it is, that’s special. However, that type of production matters more in the winter than the fall, especially as it relates to the All-Star Game. With that being said, if he can sway the voters, he’d be the first Magic player to earn consecutive All-Star selections since three-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Dwight Howard. Notably, Howard last played for Orlando in the 2011-12 season.
Banchero’s already looking like a generational Magic player. Nonetheless, the Seattle native could be all but certified in that regard as early as next month.
