3 goals to reset the Orlando Magic's expectations in 2024
3 New Expectations for the Orlando Magic after 20 games
2. The Magic will get their first All-Star since Nikola Vucevic
It is not completely clear which of the young stars will get the nod to travel to Indiana next February, but with the team success the Orlando Magic have had, both Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner have a good chance to make the team.
The coaches will almost certainly reward the Magic for a strong start to the year when they vote on the reserves. If they are in the playoff picture, they will almost certainly get at least one invite to the showcase game. There is definitely a chance they can get two.
Banchero has more national recognition and being the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year helps his case with fans. Not to mention he has history on his side with five of the last six Rookie of the Year winners leading their team to the playoffs.
He has had a solid season too, averaging 19.5 points per game with 6.9 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per game. He is shooting a much more efficient 48.1 percent from the floor and 44.3 percent from beyond the arc. Banchero has fixed and improved on a lot of the issues that plagued him in his rookie year.
His numbers have not taken off as some might have expected. But a deeper look, which is what the coaches and players will notice, reveals his improvement.
His three-point percentage has increased by 14 percentage points and his field goal percentage has gone up by five percentage points. He is getting his numbers at a much more efficient clip while also leading the team in rebounds (6.8) and assists (4.8).
For Wagner, he leads the team in points per game with 20.7 points per game and field goal attempts per game with 16.4.
His case is simple. He, along with Banchero, is the workhorse night in and night out. How could you leave him out if he is arguably the best on the team?
There are not any misconceptions about Wagner being a "Robin." He is the real deal so his case remains sound as well.
Team success will be crucial in a conference with an abundance of front court talent. But the Magic have put both of their young stars in the conversation for a first trip to the All-Star Game.
So this leads to an amendment of the second goal. It is entirely possible both players make the All-Star game. But certain things will need to happen.
First and foremost, both players will need to stay healthy. Wagner has been an ironman – knock on wood – so far in his career so history has shown he is dependable. Banchero had an ankle injury last season but outside of that was healthy.
The second key is the team success. As mentioned earlier, the Magic currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference standings. To get both players into the All-Star game, they will need to hover around the top four seeds.
This is not to say they will finish there, but for two first-time All-Stars to make it to Indiana, with Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and other centers in the East being locks, the Magic must keep their current pace.
And with the way this season has gone, and with Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter entering the fold, they might just be able to do it.