Paolo Banchero: Magic ‘Feel Like We’re Right There’ With East’s Elite NBA Teams | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumours

The Orlando Magic returned to the postseason last year after a three-season drought, led by young talent in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jaden Suggs, among others.

And Banchero believes it was just the beginning of something special. It appeared on ESPN First take Friday and said he believes the Magic are ready to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference:

“We feel like we’re right there. We’re right there with all those (elite teams in the East). I remember last year we started the year as a top two, top three seed and everybody believed that. It was a everybody thought we were going to be a playoff team. We finished strong and had a chance to get the No. 2 seed at the end of the season. We were there last year -I have better teams in the top four, top three and they have a chance to win the East.”

The Magic didn’t rest on their laurels, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency to round out a solid group. Whether it was enough to put the Magic in the realm of teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks or even the Cleveland Cavaliers or Indiana Pacers remains to be seen.

If Banchero, 21, makes another jump in year three, though, the Magic could very well be in for a tough outing. Expectations are certainly high heading into the 2024-25 campaign.