After a hot start to the 2023-24 NBA season, the Orlando Magic have fallen back down to Earth a bit though they remain in the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
For years, the Magic have toiled toward the bottom of the standings but this year the young roster looks capable of making the playoffs.
Orlando’s got size at nearly every position, though the biggest reason for their recent improvement is Paolo Banchero.
The Magic took Banchero No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft and the sophomore has looked the part of an alpha scorer in the NBA.
Banchero’s got a size advantage almost every night and can score at all three levels of the floor.
While the young forward has a long way to go to reach his potential, Chris Vernon believes his ceiling is a top-5 or top-10 player in the league via The Mismatch.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Banchero’s going to be one of the five to 10 best players in the league,” Vernon said.
Agreed or disagree: Paolo Banchero will someday be one of the NBA's 5 to 10 best players. https://t.co/13sscWFnJ6 pic.twitter.com/K2CcJHxnnQ
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 30, 2024
Bigger wing-sized players who can handle and score the basketball are in high-demand around the league and Orlando did well to take Banchero who can be a franchise pillar for years to come.
Vernon’s projection seems aggressive, but Banchero certainly has the skills and talent to make good on it.
No matter what happens with the Magic this season, they can feel confident in their future with Banchero on the roster.
The young star continues to grow every year and it’ll be exciting to see what he looks like down the line.
NEXT: Franz Wagner Makes Strong Statement About Paolo Banchero