By Rory Maher | at July 23, 2026 7:44 pm
Former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero is determined to help the Magic make a deep playoff run in 2026/27. Appearing last week on a live version of the Stephen A. Smith Show (YouTube link), the 23-year-old forward said Orlando’s three consecutive first-round exits have been on his mind.
“After losing three years in a row in the first round, that sense of urgency is definitely there for me,” Banchero said, per Dan Savage of the team’s website. “Just (trying) to work as hard as I can and keep my mind on the main goal, which is obviously to win in the postseason and to get past the first round and deep into the playoffs.
“So, that’s all that’s been on my mind this summer. Obviously, getting ready for the grind of an 82-game season. But also doing what I need to do physically and mentally to get ready for a playoff run, because that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Banchero also discussed his efforts to get in “elite shape” this summer to help the Magic rise up the standings. As Savage notes, Banchero missed 34 games in 2024/25 due to an oblique injury and 10 contests last season because of a groin strain.
“I think the biggest thing is just to be in elite shape,” he said. “The last two seasons I’ve dealt with a little bit of injuries. So, being in elite shape, making sure my body is ready for the grind of the season, ready to go the distance, and getting my mind (right). Challenging my mind with workouts and certain things I’m doing, conditioning, and just trying to be bulletproof almost, if I can.”
Here’s more from Orlando:
Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel shares his takeaways from Summer League action, pointing to 2025 draftees Noah Penda (15.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 blocks, 1.2 steals) and Jase Richardson (18.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG) as two of the team’s standouts. Orlando went in 4-1 in Las Vegas. “He wanted to play every game, and he never wanted to come out,” Summer League coach DJ Bakker said of Penda, who shot 47.1% from three-point range in three games. “So, you love that. He’s a competitor. He puts the time into his game and he did a great job of staying simple offensively. That’s why he shot such a good percentage from three — he took the right type of threes. Defensively, you saw the physicality, the fight, the versatility … So, he showed a lot, not just on offense, not just on the shooting numbers, but to me, the buy-in into the role, the execution of what we’re asking him to do and then impacting winning.”
Three-year NBA veteran Lester Quinones, who spent all of last season in the G League with the Osceola Magic, showed in Las Vegas that he’s worthy of a two-way contract, whether it’s with Orlando or another team, Beede adds. The 25-year-old shooting guard earned a spot on the All-NBAGL First Team in ’25/26 after averaging 22.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG and 0.9 SPG on .478/.396/.839 shooting in 50 games with Osceola (31.3 MPG). Quinones averaged 14.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.2 APG and 0.8 SPG in just 22.6 MPG in five games in Vegas, with a strong shooting line of .521/.435/.833.
Veteran center Nikola Vucevic wants to continue playing beyond the 2026/27 season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “No, not yet,” Vucevic responded via text when asked if he planned to retire after the season. The two-time All-Star returned to Orlando this summer on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.
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