This is going to be a huge year for the Orlando Magic, according to its biggest star.
Paolo Banchero has been paying close attention to the changes his team has made, and he believes they will all pay off in the upcoming season.
In fact, he thinks his squad can be a championship contender in a few months.
“Once this new team was kinda formed, you look at the roster, you look at guys on the team and you say this is a contender for sure,” Banchero said.
Paolo Banchero believes the Magic are a contender this season ?
"Once this new team was kinda formed, you look at the roster, you look at guys on the team and you say this is a contender for sure" pic.twitter.com/ygg2faH9bI
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 6, 2025
The Magic were already a team to watch last year, even if they weren’t able to make a big splash in the playoffs.
Ever since Banchero and Franz Wagner came to the team, people have been expecting things to get steadily better.
But the team has been having trouble with its offense, which has been servicable but not great.
However, the front office took a big swing this summer when they signed Desmond Bane, who will give the team a massive boost on offense.
The acquisition of Tyus Jones will also help and provide the team with even more support in the backcourt.
To some, they may seem like minor adjustments, but they could be monumental.
These new additions, alongside Banchero and others, turn the Magic into one of the most exciting squads in the Eastern Conference.
That conference is going through massive changes with Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton out for the foreseeable future.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks might be favorites to take the East, but the Magic are ready to race through the standings.
They have been laying the groundwork for years and recently took big steps forward, and they’re ready to make a stand in 2025-26.
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