Magic’s Paolo Banchero sets lofty MVP aspirations after first All-Star, playoff experience

A loss in the first round of the playoffs is by no means a disappointment for the Orlando Magic. The 2023-24 season marked the first time that the Magic made the playoffs since 2020, and they did so with Paolo Banchero as their superstar talent. One year removed from claiming the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year award, Banchero found new ways to elevate his play in order to ensure the success of his team. Now, after making his first playoff appearance of his career and also being named an All-Star for the first time in his second season, Banchero is ready to turn his attention to the league’s MVP award.

The NBA is in a great place. With aging superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant nearing the end of their respective careers, a new age of stars has been born with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, all of which are still competing in the playoffs. Banchero finds himself on this list of the new generation finding their way to stardom, and his high aspirations entering Year 3 shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone.

Confidence oozes from Banchero every time he steps foot on the court. This is a trait that has helped the Magic unlock their full potential as a team. At 21 years old, Banchero knows he can compete for the MVP award, especially after his experiences both in the NBA and with Team USA at last year’s FIBA World Cup.

“MVP is the award you dream about. I don’t think it’s unrealistic for me to get there at some point,” Banchero told Ben Golliver of The Washington Post. “I’m trying to be the complete player. I’m not there yet. But that’s my vision for myself: A guy who doesn’t have any weaknesses on either side of the floor and who can go out there and do everything. Once I got drafted, all that was on my mind was being the best rookie. I kind of got anxious heading into my second year [because] I was back along with everybody else and part of the field.

“My mission is to be the best in the league.”

The biggest growth in Banchero’s game from his rookie year to his second season was in his playmaking skills and instincts. Every great superstar in the NBA is able to elevate those around him, and many of the recent players who were named MVP find themselves as some of the best all-around offensive talents. Between his scoring and facilitating abilities, Banchero is well on his way to entering the MVP sweepstakes.

Paolo Banchero’s stellar second season