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Orlando Magic
Aug 4, 2025 11:36 PM EDT
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero sent a message about what he wants to happen next season. With a promising 2024-25 campaign, Banchero believes that the Magic can take over the Eastern Conference next season.
Last season, Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic showed promising potential. With Banchero as the team’s best player, they believe they can take a step forward and become one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
This summer, the team addressed one of their major concerns, which was outside shooting. Although they had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, he struggled to be a threat from deep. Especially during the playoffs, where he posted five points on 26.1% shooting from deep in the postseason.
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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero grabs the rebound. — Source: © Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Paolo Banchero is Determined to Contend For an NBA Title
Banchero understands that he is the team’s foundation moving forward. Which is why he knows that now is the time to take the next step, while the Eastern Conference is wide open.
“I’m just looking forward to competing, man, at a high level, you know, going to hopefully… take the East,” Banchero said.
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There isn’t a formidable threat in the East. The Boston Celtics aren’t the same team with an injured Jayson Tatum expected to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign. Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford won’t be part of the group anymore.
The Milwaukee Bucks recently waived Damian Lillard, leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo as the lone star on the team. The Philadelphia 76ers are still struggling with the health of Joel Embiid and Paul George. Even the Indiana Pacers, the team that made it to the Finals last season, are expected not to be competitive, as Tyrese Haliburton will miss the rest of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon
With the East wide open, the Magic made smart moves by adding Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane to address their weak outside shooting. This gives Banchero enough help to contend for the championship and potentially emerge as a threat in the conference.
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Reign Amurao