Paolo Banchero walked into the NBA in 2022 with a Duke pedigree, a No. 1 pick label, and the kind of pressure only reserved for players meant to change franchises.
Now, two seasons, an All-Star selection, and over 4,000 points later, he’s not just changed the Orlando Magic—he’s become their identity.
And now he’s here to stay.
The 22-year-old All-Star forward has agreed to a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension with Orlando.
It’s the latest move in a statement-making offseason for the Magic, who now have Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs under contract through at least 2029, and recently added Desmond Bane via a blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.
[ALSO READ: Betting on themselves, Magic hope Desmond Bane trade is final piece for title contention]
“This commitment reflects our belief in Paolo’s talent, character and desire to win at the highest level,” Magic president Jeff Weltman said in a statement.
He added: “It also reflects Paolo’s belief in our organization, our fans and the city of Orlando. We are excited to continue this journey together.”
Banchero averaged a career-best 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in just 46 games last season, despite missing two months due to an oblique injury.
Still, he managed to earn his first All-Star selection and helped lead the Magic to a second straight postseason appearance.
He elevated his play after the All-Star break, averaging 29.0 points the rest of the way, and delivered a standout playoff performance with 29.4 points per game in a first-round series loss to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
He has now scored 25 or more points in seven consecutive postseason games, tying LA Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the longest such streak before age 23.
The Magic’s confidence in Banchero comes as part of a broader push toward contention in the Eastern Conference. In addition to acquiring Bane, the team also brought in veteran guard Tyus Jones on a one-year deal.
