(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic were one of the most talked-about teams in the 2023-24 season.
Even though they didn’t end up going far in the playoffs, they proved they are back in fine form and might be a true threat in the years ahead.
Speaking on Friday’s “First Take,” per NBACentral, Magic superstar Paolo Banchero revealed his expectations for the upcoming season.
“I think we should easily be a top 4, top 3 team and have a chance to win the East,” Banchero said.
Paolo Banchero says the Magic are up there with the Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers
“I think we should easily be a top 4, top 3 team and have a chance to win the East.”
( @FirstTake / h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 16, 2024
The Magic earned a 46-35 record last season, which was good enough to give them the fifth seed in the East.
They started off the season strong and climbed higher than the fifth spot before coming back down to earth later.
Even though they weren’t a top-three team, they were still quite impressive and Banchero was consistently fantastic.
He averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, which was a step up from his rookie season.
The Magic showed off a lot of greatness but they were just a bit too young and inexperienced to make it far in the postseason.
With that being said, they did push the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the opening round, which was admirable.
Now that the Magic are officially back in a big way, they will be closely watched in 2024-25.
They have gotten better but the rest of the East has as well.
Can they keep up with teams such as the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and others?
Some fans are worried the Magic will slip up in the new season but Banchero promises they’ll only get better.
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