The Eastern Conference race for the 2024-25 season will focus primarily on teams such as The Philadelphia 76ersTHE Boston Celticsand the The New York KnicksAll three teams have positioned themselves well to compete and win the crown.
The Sixers added Paul George has Joel Embiid And Tyrese MaxeyThe Celtics are the defending champions, and the Knicks have added Mikal Bridges to their talented core. Milwaukee Buckswho should also be considered, will have a full season under coach Doc Rivers Giannis Antetokounmpo And Damian Lillard.
However, another team is looking to join the fray: the Orlando Magic.
Magic star Paolo Banchero went on ESPN’s “First Take” and was asked about the race in the East and the moves made by the Sixers and others and he said his team should also be considered a contender:
We feel like we’re in a good spot. We’re in a good spot with all these teams. I remember last year we started in the top three, top two, and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a qualifying team and come out of the top of the East Division, but 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 and we got better this year. Like I said, I got better, we all got better. We’ve got some new pieces that are going to help 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 East Division.
Magic has taken over The Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, then added the two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pape during the offseason, but Orlando is likely a year or two away. The Magic could use another step forward from a talented wing Franz Wagner and another scorer. Right now, the Sixers, Celtics, Knicks and Bucks should be considered the top contenders in the East.
This article was originally published on Sixers Wire: Paolo Banchero believes Magic should be mentioned with the Sixers, among others
