In a bold move to secure the future of their franchise and stake their claim as a formidable force in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic have tied their fortunes to Paolo Banchero with a staggering five-year, $287 million contract extension. This max rookie extension isn’t just about securing a player; it’s about sending a clear message to the league that the Magic are no longer in the business of endless rebuilding. They’ve set their sights firmly on the playoffs—and maybe even beyond.
Orlando, long waiting in the wings for a moment to reclaim its place amongst NBA contenders, has found a beacon in Banchero. The awe-inspired recollections of Dwight Howard’s theatrical antics and powerhouse play from those glory days now have a counterpart in the Seattle-born forward who, after a stellar debut season, has firmly entrenched himself as the team’s cornerstone. From being the 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick, Banchero blitzed through his rookie season, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award by dazzling with 20.0 points and nearly seven rebounds per game—no small feat for a newcomer.
By his sophomore year, Paolo further raised his game to enviable heights. Averaging 22.6 points per game, he didn’t just raise the Magic’s hopes but also earned his ticket to the All-Star festivities in 2024, prompting fans to dust off those long-neglected jerseys and start dreaming again. The following season, his numbers soared – 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, leaving little doubt among spectators and analysts alike that the Magic had found something special.
Yet it wasn’t simply about Banchero’s performance that makes this deal monumental. It’s the timing and the circumstances. Having endured several seasons of shuffling the chess pieces with little to no playoff success—and in some cases, qualifications that only led to swift exits—the Magic’s return to the postseason, clinching the Southeast Division last year with a nail-biting 41-41 mark, hinted that a long-awaited break was imminent.
As other Eastern Conference powerhouses like Boston and New York engage in meticulous retooling, the Magic saw their chance and took it. Anchoring their ambition not just on Banchero but also playing the kings’ gambit by unloading five future first-round picks for the sharp-shooting prowess of Desmond Bane, Orlando has committed to a win-now ethos. Add in the on-court synergy with Franz Wagner, and you have a team ready to engage the upper echelons of the league with renewed vitality.
The ripple effect of Banchero’s most recent hardcourt heroics and the subsequent extension is tangible even in the collectibles market. While Orlando isn’t traditionally thought of as a colossal market team like Los Angeles or New York, Banchero’s cards are becoming quite the commodity. For the casual enthusiast, accessible options are still on the table. You might find your purse strings gently tugged by a base 2023-24 Panini Select Retail Blue trading near a dollar, or more affectionately, a 2022 Panini Contenders Duke rookie card going for a dollar-fifty-nine on eBay.
However, for collectors with more gourmet tastes – and budgets to match – consider the high-end spectrum, where Banchero memorabilia is climbing the economic ladder. The 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Rookie Eruption Auto (#/75) flirts with the $200 mark, and for those in pursuit of penmanship perfection, the 2022 Panini Prizm Penmanship Purple Ice Auto (#/99) commands a kingly sum between $200 (Near Mint) and $500 (Mint condition). So, Magic aficionados might want to get ahead of the curve and expand their Banchero collections before the playoffs (or higher highs) inevitably stretch those margins.
Overall, this contract is more than just a financial transaction; it’s a declaration of intent. The Magic, buoyed by nostalgic echoes of past successes and glimpses of their potential in the game’s present landscape, have put their chips on the table with Banchero and company. If they weren’t taken seriously before, they’re certainly on everyone’s radar now. This is the Magic’s grand showpiece moment as they wager their newfound firepower against the very best with aspirations of reaching—and ruling—the upper corridors of the NBA hierarchy. Watch out; there might just be some magic in the air again in Orlando.
