{"id":90871,"date":"2024-08-16T14:09:32","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T18:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=90871"},"modified":"2024-08-16T14:09:32","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T18:09:32","slug":"orlando-magic-star-paolo-banchero-gives-bold-take-for-2024-25-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/16\/orlando-magic-star-paolo-banchero-gives-bold-take-for-2024-25-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Magic Star Gives Bold Take for 2024-25 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, the Orlando Magic exceeded all expectations. The team finished with a 47-35 record, their best since the 2010-11 season. Additionally, they earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2020. A large reason for their unexpected success was the breakout campaign of 2023 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero<\/a>. In his second season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He also shot 45.5% from the floor and 33.9% from behind the line. It is a small sample size, but all of these numbers are career highs for the 21-year-old. Furthermore, he became a first-time All-Star last season and will likely make more All-Star teams in the future.<\/p>\n

Despite losing in the first round to the Cleveland Cavaliers this past postseason, the future looks bright in Orlando. However, when looking at the other teams the Magic stack up against in the conference, it is tough to picture them as immediate title contenders. They are a young and exciting team, but the Magic are unlikely to be better than the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, or Philadelphia 76ers next season. Furthermore, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers could still rank better than them in 2025. However, despite being underdogs, Banchero still has high hopes for the team.<\/p>\n

In a recent appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Banchero spoke about the Magic’s outlook for next season and said they “should easily be a top-four, top-three team” in the East next season.<\/p>\n

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Paolo Banchero says the Magic are up there with the Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should easily be a top 4, top 3 team and have a chance to win the East.\u201d<\/p>\n

(\ud83c\udfa5 @FirstTake<\/a> \/ h\/t @ClutchPoints<\/a> )<\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/TAudrepfxP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 16, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n