Paolo Banchero must prove what class of player he belongs among

Paolo Banchero has often talked about one of the big "I've arrived" moments of his young career.

During his first All-Star weekend, when he was participating in the Rising Stars Game, he was called over by Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. They encouraged him in that moment and told him they were fans of his game.

That is certainly a starstruck moment for a young player. It was a moment where he seemed to confirm he belonged.

Paolo Banchero has kept some of those connections. He worked out with Jayson Tatum early in his career and with Kevin Durant. He has been with both players at various points this offseason and over the years.

Many of the top players in the league see Banchero as their peer. He travels in those circles. This is the class of player he considers himself a part of.

But Banchero is mostly considered a borderline All-Star. There is a general whiff of disappointment in his game.

Many would say Banchero should not be in this class of player. And that will be the central storyline for this upcoming season. Orlando needs to see their star player join this class of player.

That is the biggest thing that can elevate Banchero and his team.

This year, Banchero needs to prove where he belongs in the NBA hierarchy.

Rare Air

There is no doubting the counting stats.

Paolo Banchero's 22.2 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game were largely considered a disappointment. Never mind that only six players averaged at least 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game (Paolo Banchero and Jayson Tatum were the only two who were not All-Stars).

Again, this was a "bad season" from Banchero.

No one doubts Banchero's playoff numbers or how he boosts his team in the Playoffs. Then again, the Magic lost a 3-1 series lead with Banchero as the lead player without Wagner. That includes the frustrating Game 6 defeat at home.

The analytics folks will point to his on/off numbers and any number of catch-all stats to poke holes. Most of the doubts about the Magic are really about a lack of belief in Paolo Banchero -- or concern about Franz Wagner's overall health.

There can be a lot of getting caught up in expectations that it is easy to take someone for granted.

Paolo Banchero has been in rare air from the moment he stepped into the league. He has averaged 20.0 points per game in each of his first four seasons. He has steadily improved his shooting efficiency, even through ups and downs and injuries in the last two seasons.

Banchero was the top overall pick and came with the expectations and weight that comes with that.

But in the counting stats and in many ways, he has lived up to it.

His career averages of 22.3 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game are among the best in the league's history. There are only 12 players in NBA history to average 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game in their first four seasons. It is a who's-who list of all-time greats.

In three Playoff series, Banchero has averaged 27.4 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per game. Even though Orlando has failed to advance in any of those series, no one could blame Banchero for those performances. He has done all he could.

Only six players in NBA history have averaged 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game in their Playoff careers. All of them are seemingly surefire Hall of Famers.

Statistically, by counting stats at least, this is the company Banchero is keeping. These are the kinds of numbers he is putting up.

So why does it feel like Banchero is hated and bashed so consistently?

A new metric for success

The reason for this disconnect comes down to winning.

Paolo Banchero's game is more reminiscent of those idols and the play of the mid-2000s. He can play a bit slower and seemingly iso-heavy. Watching him can be a slog at times.

Some of this is perception more than reality. Banchero is an eager and willing passer. He was in an offense that slowed things down and put him in a specific role.

But he struggled to maximize himself and his teammates within those confines. And those who do not watch him, look at numbers and analytics. And the analytics do not like him.

Many make a big deal that the Magic have never had a positive net rating with Banchero on the floor in his career. He was at -0.2 last year and -0.1 in 2024, the Magic's two best seasons since drafting him.

Context matters. Banchero often plays against starters. But it is also true that the Magic went 26-25 in the 51 games Franz Wagner missed last season in the middle of last season (he played in four of those games).

If Banchero is a player of that high caliber, then the only stat that matters is winning. And that is what is missing as the magic enter this season.

Determined to win

After each playoff series, Paolo Banchero has said all the right things.

He said after the 2024 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that the Orlando Magic could not be satisfied with getting to a Game 7, making this the first step for the team. After the 2025 loss to the Boston Celtics, he wanted the team not to be satisfied with the playoff cameo.

After losing the 2026 series to the Detroit Pistons, Banchero issues a challenge to himself and to the team to get out of the first round.

Banchero knows that he is ultimately judged on winning. That is what makes his reputation. And he knows he has a big role to play in that.

If Banchero wants to change the narrative, it will come with his team's success and how he helps the team advance further.

Banchero has seemingly attacked this summer with the correct fervor.

After he struggled with his jumper and explosiveness last year, he looks noticeably trimmed down. He mentioned he focused a lot on improving his footwork and his finishing, two things that would help with his efficiency.

He has a new coach that will surely have some new ideas on how to use him. His receptiveness to that could go a long way to unlocking that next step.

Ultimately, so much of what the Magic are betting on is Banchero himself.

There are many around the league who are trying to sell that stock. This feels like a pressure-packed season for Banchero most of all.

He has long traded statistically with the very best players in the league. This is a season where he must prove he belongs in that conversation fully.

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