In a move that has caused a gravitational shift in the basketball universe, the Orlando Magic have signed Paolo Banchero to a monumental five-year, $287 million max rookie contract extension. The franchise has thrown down the gauntlet, ensuring their prized power forward remains the face of the team for the foreseeable future. If Banchero hits all the incentives baked into his contract, the celebratory echoes will reverberate not just through Amway Center but throughout the entire Magic Kingdom.
From serenely dwelling in the Claustrophobic shadows of rebuilding, Orlando has poured fresh ambition into their chalice, recalling the days of yore when Dwight Howard dazzled the league with his impish grin and gravity-defying hops. By cementing Banchero’s place in their ranks, the Magic are loudly declaring their intention to stir from their slumber and enter the fray as serious contenders.
Hailing from Seattle and possessing a college resume forged at Duke, Banchero is far from just another cog in the wheel. Snatched as the number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, he graced the league with the sort of raw and dynamic play that led him to capture the NBA Rookie of the Year with an average of 20 points and a near seven rebounds per game. Fast forward to year two, and Banchero had already hoisted his bar higher, clocking in at 22.6 points per game and earning his first All-Star selection in 2024, making it clear to all that the sky is his limit.
Last season was nothing short of electric for Banchero. He not only lived up to but surpassed expectations by delivering an eye-popping 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder the beleaguered hearts of Orlando fans have found new imbibation for optimism, whispering of postseason glories.
It has been an era of playoff exile, punctuated by brief and unenlightened meanderings into postseason drama. Yet, last season bore witness to the magical return of the Magic, who, after a spirited campaign, crowned themselves Southeast Division champions with an equilibrium-inducing 41-41 record. And with the Eastern Conference titans, namely Boston and New York, making moves of their own, opportunity beckons for Orlando. Joining forces with Franz Wagner and having gone all out by exchanging five first-round tickets in pursuit of the sharpshooting Desmond Bane, Orlando has yelled into the void that they are in “win-now” mode.
The buzz surrounding Banchero is not just restricted to the hardwood either. His burgeoning talent has turned the world of sports cards topsy-turvy. Despite Orlando’s modestly-sized market, Banchero’s stellar play and recent megabucks deal are invigorating collectors far and wide. For those who dabble in the casual spirit of card collecting, Banchero’s cards can currently be acquired without burning through prospective college funds. For instance, one can acquire a base 2023-24 Panini Select Retail Blue card for an almost nostalgically quaint figure of around a dollar. An even more curious find is Banchero’s Duke rookie card from the 2022 Panini Contenders collection, which recently tendered hands on eBay for a fair $1.59.
For the more discerning card enthusiasts with a craving for higher-end treasures, be warned: Prices are on the uptick. A 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Rookie Eruption Auto (#/75) will tick your wallet down approximately $200, while a 2022 Panini Prizm Penmanship Purple Ice Auto (#/99) is creeping up the treasure rung from around $200 (Near Mint) to a potential $500 (Mint condition), at least according to the guardians of valuation over at Beckett.
With the Magic tangibly on the ascendant path and fans rallying behind their freshly-renewed star, any seasoned spectator would opine that now may be the ripe time to enhance your Banchero card repertoire. Such an undertaking, the collectors wager, would stand you in good stead, especially as the Magic gear up for another resolute playoff audition. As the cards continue to shuffle and the basketball drama unfolds, one undeniable truth remains—Orlando has staked its fortune on the shoulders of a young star who seems more than ready to carry them far. Here’s to a new chapter, spring-loaded with possibility, in the tale of the Magic and their anointed savior, Paolo Banchero.
