Paolo Banchero outlines five year plan to bring NBA title to Orlando among other goals: "MVP, and one of the faces of the league"
The 2023-24 NBA season was a big one for Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic, as the team's young core burst onto the scene and secured the fifth seed (47-35) in the Eastern Conference.
The second-year forward followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with an All-Star appearance. In 80 games last season, Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 5.4 assists and 6.9 rebounds.
The Magic saw a massive leap from Banchero and the rest of the team as they made the playoffs for the first time in four years and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Game 7 in the first round.
At the Fanatics Fan Fest alongside Julius Erving, Banchero was asked where he thinks he'll be in five years.
"NBA champ. Hopefully MVP, and one of the faces of the league. One of the faces of basketball, of the new generation," Banchero responded.
The Magic have a talented young core in place alongside Banchero, with Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter and Cole Anthony all primed to play significant roles for Orlando next season.
Paolo Banchero believes Magic can compete with Celtics, Knicks, 76ers
With the Magic's development comes confidence as the team continues to elevate their play and compete with some of the best in the Eastern Conference.
In an appearance on ESPN's "First Take", Banchero was asked about the team's feelings about the Eastern Conference getting better this offseason like the addition of Paul George to the Sixers and Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, and the dominance of the Boston Celtics.
"Man we feel like we're right there," Banchero stated. "We're right there with all those teams. I remember last year we started the year off as a top-two, top-three seed, and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a play-in team and drop out of the top of the East, but we finished strong... We were right there last year and we got better. I got better."
While Orlando as a whole is still young, the team is beginning to find its stride with Banchero leading the way. Last season, Orlando was among the best in the NBA defensively, finishing with the No.2 defensive rating — one spot ahead of the Celtics.
With continued development, the Magic possess more than enough talent to establish themselves as a top team in the Eastern Conference in 2024.