2023 Orlando Magic Trade Value Column: A future to plan for

2023 Orlando Magic Trade Value Column

1. Paolo Banchero (4-Years, $50.2 million, Team Options for 2025 and 2026)

What is there to say about Paolo Banchero? What more needs to be said that is not just going to be said on the court and develop naturally?

Banchero may be hitting the rookie wall of late, but that rookie wall is still 22 points and 10 rebounds. Those are his bad games at times. Banchero is starting to learn how to attack double teams and impact the game beyond scoring.

But Paolo Banchero is doing things no Magic rookie has done since Shaquille O’Neal was here.

He has not quite changed the franchise’s fortunes as immediately as O’Neal did, but Banchero has certainly elevated this team.

There is a reason the team has already matched its win total from last year and talks openly and seriously about making a postseason push even after a 5-20 start.

That is because of internal growth and careful management from coach Jamahl Mosley, but it is also because Banchero soaks up so much attention and is so effective despite it.

He was the number one pick for a reason and is almost shoo-in to win Rookie of the Year already.

Banchero is a franchise player. That seems like a conclusion everyone can make already. And that is something the Magic have not truly had in a decade since Dwight Howard left.

Nothing more really needs to be said.