Jason Miller/Getty Images
The Orlando Magic returned to the playoffs last year after a three-season drought, led by young talent like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jaden Suggs, among others.
And Banchero thinks it was just the beginning of something special. He appeared on ESPN First take On Friday, he said he thought the Magic were ready to compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference:
“We feel like we’re in a good spot. We’re in a good spot with all these (elite East) teams. I remember last year we started the year as a top two or three seed and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a qualifier and come out of the top of the East. We finished strong and got fifth and had a chance to really take second place at the end of the season. We were in a good spot last year. We got better this year. I got better, we all got better. We have some new pieces that are going to help a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top four or top three team and have a chance to win the East.”
The Magic didn’t rest on their laurels, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency to round out a solid group of players. Whether that will be enough to put the Magic in the league of the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks or even the Cleveland Cavaliers or Indiana Pacers remains to be seen.
If Banchero, 21, takes another step forward in his third year, the Magic could be a tough opponent to eliminate. Expectations are certainly high heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
