{"id":21072,"date":"2025-07-25T12:16:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21072\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T12:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T12:16:10","slug":"nba-insider-defends-orlando-magics-paolo-banchero-against-biggest-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21072\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Insider Defends Orlando Magic\u2019s Paolo Banchero Against Biggest Criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"

After signing Paolo Banchero<\/a> to a five-year max contract extension<\/a> worth $239 million, the Orlando Magic<\/a> made it clear he\u2019s their franchise cornerstone. Expected to lead a future Finals run after an aggressive offseason. Banchero has led the team in scoring each of his three seasons, averaging<\/a> 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the field. Last season, poor spacing and limited playmaking forced him to carry the scoring load resulting in a high shot volume dragging down his efficiency. This began a debate on whether Banchero deserved a supermax deal with max incentives and a player option.<\/p>\n

While ranking teams in the Eastern Conference, Zach Lowe recently defended<\/a> Banchero against criticism claiming he’s not a superstar. <\/p>\n

“There’s a lot of hammering about the Banchero max contract,” Lowe said. “Which has the escalators to 30 percent that Chet Holmgren didn’t get. I don’t love the player option when you get everything. I heard a lot of like, well, Paolo is inefficient, shoots a lot of mid-range jumpers, he’s not a number one guy. How are you paying him like a number one guy? Is he ever going to be a number one guy? I don’t know what you all are seeing. This dude is ******* awesome, and I am more than okay paying him a max. I would actually probably lean toward there’s a season in there where he cracks [First Team All-NBA].” <\/p>\n

Zach Lowe Ranks Orlando In Tier 1 For The Eastern Conference<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Paolo Bancheros time to be one of the three best players in the conference\u2026there\u2019s a definite scenario where he\u2019s on a lot of peoples MVP ballot at the end of this season\u201d – Michael Pina<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me all the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/lpT26BjQmT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Huncho Hoops (@HunchoHoops) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Banchero proved his value in the first-round series against the Boston Celtics averaging<\/a> 29.4 points while shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range. With improved spacing and shooting, his efficiency could rise separating him as one of the league\u2019s elite scorers.<\/p>\n

“I watched this dude in the playoffs against the elite defenses with nothing around him,” Lowe added. “No shooting, no help, almost nothing reliable. He just shows up and makes a fair share of really hard mid-range jump shots. Does he take too many of those? Sure, he’s also showing me he’s a good passer. He’s a good playmaker on the move as a screener. I think the more talent around him, the more he’ll tap into those parts of his game. There’ll be three or four mid-range shots that are transitioned into better shots at the rim, threes, passes, all of that. Give me all the Banchero stock.”<\/p>\n

Magic GM Reveals Best Qualities Of Jase Richardson And Noah Penda<\/a><\/p>\n

Paolo Banchero Just Makes Cut In Prestigious NBA Ranking<\/a><\/p>\n

Magic Projected To Land Ex-NBA Lottery Pick In Bold New Trade Proposal<\/a><\/p>\n