Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero believes his team is capable of competing with any Eastern Conference opponent.
After making their first postseason appearance since 2020, the Magic finished the regular season with a 47-35 record, their best since 2011.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Banchero stated, “We feel like we are right there with all those teams. We started off strong last year, finished as the fifth seed, and had a chance to grab the second seed.”
As a young All-Star player in the NBA, Banchero sees the Magic as contenders alongside teams like Boston and New York, the top two seeds in the 2024 playoffs.
Despite their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, the Magic are determined to learn from their mistakes. With an average age of 24.3, they are one of the youngest teams in the league.
The addition of veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph brings experience and depth to the team. Caldwell-Pope’s shooting prowess and championship pedigree will be valuable assets, addressing the team’s previous weaknesses in 3-point shooting and perimeter creation.
Orlando also re-signed key players like Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner while drafting promising talent like Tristan Da Silva.
How did Magic’s offseason stack up with the rest of the East?
Compared to other Eastern Conference teams, Orlando’s offseason moves may seem modest.
Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks have made significant additions, bolstering their rosters with experienced players like Paul George and Mikal Bridges.
With the Eastern Conference becoming increasingly competitive, the Magic will need to continue improving to solidify their position among the top teams in the East.