The Orlando Magic are in the middle of the race to make the NBA playoffs. With a few games left in the season, Orlando is going to need to buckle down and keep winning.
One player that knows a few things about winning in Orlando is Dwight Howard. The former All-Star center was honored ahead of the Magic's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Interestingly, Howard was inducted into the team's hall of fame ahead of his two former teams squaring off at the Kia Center.
Count Howard among those who believes in current Magic star Paolo Banchero.
Howard has experience leaving Orlando for perceived greener pastures and had a message for Banchero.
"Shoutout to all the Magic fans," Howard said, per Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. "I know I disappointed a lot of you guys and in some ways, I disappointed myself.
"But that's a whole part of life. Every day we learn, we grow. Thank you guys for supporting me [during] all my beautiful years here. Paolo, don't leave them, man. Don't leave them."
"Shoutout to all my Magic fans," #Magic Hall of Famer Dwight Howard said. "…Paolo, don't leave them, man."
Added Howard on the current squad when I asked: "I just hope they don't take these moments for granted … It's very difficult to make it to this level…"
Full remarks: pic.twitter.com/6ZhJlbUUGY
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) March 24, 2025
Howard knows that the Magic have something good with Banchero, and there's no doubt that he can be the franchise player for the team alongside Franz Wagner.
Banchero is in his third season with the Magic after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. This season, Banchero is averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
The good news for Magic fans is Banchero is under contract for the foreseeable future. Banchero's four-year, $50 million rookie deal is slated to run through the 2025-26 season.
The Magic star could be a restricted free agent in 2026, but Orlando would be able to match any offer. Fans can expect the Magic to attempt to sign Banchero to a longterm contract extension which would negate this restricted free agency process.
Orlando will be watching to see if Banchero takes Howard's advice.
Related: Golden State Warriors Steph Curry's Strong Message on Orlando Magic
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This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM.