Paolo Banchero strongly believes that the Orlando Magic have all the tools to contend in the Eastern Conference, and the team’s offseason acquisition of Desmond Bane is the icing on the cake.
Last June, the Orlando Magic acquired Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony (now with the Milwaukee Bucks), and several first-round picks.
“He adds what we’re missing, and he also adds to what we already have. It’s like the perfect match. We don’t have anybody who can make shots like him, who can kind of leverage the way he is able to make shots, then make plays for others and get downhill and create,” Banchero said about Bane via Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife as a player, as a guard. He is stronger than 99 percent of the guards in the league with how he’s built. He’s going to fit into what we do,” he added.
Orlando Magic News: Tyus Jones sends clear message to fans
Besides Desmond Bane, the Orlando Magic also acquired Tyus Jones to shore up their backcourt. He is coming off a productive 2024-25 campaign, averaging 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 44.8 percent shooting from the field across 81 regular season appearances for the Phoenix Suns.
“I appreciate the love. I plan on making those fans happy and look forward to playing in front of them. But this has been a place where I’ve kinda had my eye on and thought the fit was there the last few years,” Jones said via Ryan Kaminski on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“And it just eventually played itself out. The time is right now. I’m excited to be here. The fit is right. I don’t want to put too many expectations on it, but I know it’s gonna be a good year,” he concluded.
