Orlando Magic Star Paolo Banchero believes his team can compete with other Eastern Conference contenders in the upcoming 2024-25 season, noting that the Magic have a chance to come out of the East and play for a championship.
After his first All-Star year, Duke’s new third-year star made a number of bold statements during his appearance on ESPN’s first interview with Stephen A. Smith and Chris Russo on August 16.
Banchero doesn’t seem fazed by how other Eastern contenders have significantly upgraded their rosters over the summer, saying the Magic are “ready to make some noise” this season.
“We feel like we’re there” Banchero said in the interview“We’re on par with all those (elite) teams. I remember last year we started the year being a top two or three seed, and everyone thought it was a fluke.
“Everybody thought we were going to be a qualifying team and lose the top spot in the Eastern Conference. We finished strong and got fifth and had a chance to really clinch the top two spots at the end of the season. We were in a good spot last year.”
Despite the Celtics retaining the core of their championship roster and teams like the Sixers, Bucks and Knicks making upgrades, Banchero firmly believes the Magic are a top-3, top-4 team in the East.
We’ve gotten better this year. I’ve gotten better, we’ve all gotten better. We’ve got some new pieces that are going to help us a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top-four, top-three team and have a chance to win the Eastern Conference Cup.
Orlando management is hopeful that these trades this offseason will pay off in the years to come as they strive to become a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic, led by Wagner and Banchero, clinched the fifth seed in the East in the 2024 playoffs and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to their limits in their seven-game playoff series.
Banchero, who made the average 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assistsshould improve his stats across the board in his third year with the Magic.
The same is expected of Wagner, who achieved an average 19.7 points and 5.3 rebounds during the 2023–24 regular season. He also guided Germany to a fourth-place finish in the men’s 5×5 basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Games, averaging a team-best 10 points. 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in six games.
