Paolo Banchero Rumors

The current version of the Magic are one of the top up-and-coming teams, led by All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, who recently signed a five-year contract extension worth $239 million. Orlando has been to the playoffs the past two seasons, but have failed to advance past the first round. This upcoming season could be a different story with the Eastern Conference wide open. "They've been in this sort of situation they're in for the last few years, a playoff team first round," Grant Hill told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview. "But I think bringing in (Desmond) Bane, what they've done this offseason. They were decimated by injuries throughout the season last year, but you got an incredible young player in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner as well."

sportsboom.com

"I think so," says Hill when asked if the Magic can compete with the likes of the Cavaliers and Knicks. "They have some pieces. You have to wait and see how it all comes together, but they got a guy who could go get a bucket in the playoffs, you need a guy who has that ability and Banchero's that. You have better shooting now, better spacing. I think with the shooting, if you can knock down the three, I think Banchero can show his passing and facilitating too, but also it makes it harder to guard him if you can't leave guys." It's worth noting that the Magic led the NBA in defense this past season. When combined with the improved three-point shooting, that should be a recipe for success, according to Hill. "I also think you don't sacrifice your defense with the changes they made," says Hill.

sportsboom.com

On Saturday morning, Jordan Brand gave the world a sneak peek at its first-ever musical. While the 30-second video does not explain everything, it sets the tone for what is to come. According to Jordan Brand, the visual is all rhythm, confidence, and control. It hints at a bigger story, one that unfolds fully next week on July 19. For now, it's a glimpse into the mindset behind "Too Easy," the musical presented by Jordan Brand.

Sports Illustrated

Fans will spot NBA and WNBA stars in the trailer. Bam Adebayo, Paolo Banchero, Chris Paul, Trae Young, and Gabby Williams are among the hoopers who are set to star in the musical.

Sports Illustrated

Shams Charania: Breaking: Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million, Mike Miller of LIFT Sports Management tells ESPN. Deal includes a player option; the first for a rookie max since 2021 (Luka Doncic, Trae Young).

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The deal also has a player option for Banchero in 2030-31 -- the first time a rookie max extension has had a player option since 2021, when Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) completed their rookie max contracts.

ESPN

Jason Beede: New #Magic guard Desmond Bane was asked about his impression of the talent he’s joining in Orlando: “Super talented … Paolo, Franz, Jalen, Wendell, Tristan, Anthony Black … It was always tough to put the ball in the basket against them, I’ll tell you that.” More: pic.x.com/qImMcgnuSF

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Jason Beede: #Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman was asked about the multiple future 1st round picks used to land Desmond Bane and their value: Jeff Weltman on the amount of future picks used to acquire Desmond Bane: "That's a great question. Because obviously we don't know what the value of those picks are, right? They're future picks and that's up to us to determine what the value of those picks are. Obviously, the one we do know is year, No. 16, and clearly part of us taking the temperature of this trade was our feelings about No. 16. So, we have to bake that into how we look at the overall package. And then going forward, three of the remaining picks are under our control. We feel that we're betting on ourselves. We feel like we're going to be a good team. We feel that the other unique thing about a guy like Des being available to obtain in a trade is the fact that he's just about to turn 27, so if we are a good team then we hope to be a good team for a while. Because our age profile is that our most-highly paid, core four players are ages 23-27. Hopefully we can come to an agreement with Paolo [Banchero] this summer, we'll be having those conversations shortly, and have this group together for a long time wearing Magic uniforms. So, that will determine what the value of those picks are, and some of this is what the NBA is about. It's betting on yourself. It's putting pressure on yourself and elevating your standard. I will say that one of the unique things about this trade when you think about the caliber of the player that Desmond Bane is, at the age that he's at, and with the contract control that you have, is that we gave up none of our own core pieces. So, this was by definition going to be a draft capital trade."

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Jason Beede: #Magic forward Paolo Banchero shares farewell messages to Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Instagram: “My brother 🤞 it was an honor.” “Much love champ 🫡”

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Shams Charania: Magic President Jeff Weltman made clear the franchise was taking an aggressive, win-now approach to this offseason, and they kicked off the summer Sunday by adding Bane to the core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.

x.com

Yossi Gozlan: The Magic aren’t only investing in draft equity. It’s a major investment in their payroll and beyond. Franz Wagner: $41.8 million Desmond Bane: $39.5 million Jalen Suggs: $37.4 million Paolo Banchero’s expected max: $42.5-$51 million 2026-27 payroll and tax could exceed $350 million.

bsky.app

During a recent appearance on Above The Rim with DH12, the podcast hosted by newly inducted Hall of Famer Dwight Howard, Caldwell-Pope opened up about his first season in Orlando and praised Banchero’s maturity, basketball IQ, and skill level. “He’s a smart young kid,” Caldwell-Pope said. “I was surprised like how he think the game, how it slows down for him… Me coming over there and being a vet for him, I just talked more about what do you see. And he was able to break that down — it was easy for me to help him out.”

Clutch Points

“I always tell him, you see a pass, make a pass, because they [are] going to double you every time,” Caldwell-Pope said. “What you’re going to be great at is screening, rolling, getting in that pocket — his mid-range is f**king killer — or when you’re in the post, face up, see what they give you. And him being mentally strong like that, his game just took off.”

Clutch Points

Jason Beede: #Magic forward Paolo Banchero spent Tuesday afternoon meeting with local teens at a kickoff event for Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass program in the SoDo District of Orlando. “It’s cool being here getting to promote mental and physical health for teens,” Banchero said.

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