Banchero: Magic trying to become 1 of NBA's 'household names'

Paolo Banchero has big expectations for the Orlando Magic entering his third season in the NBA.

In an interview with Slam's Jared Ebanks, Banchero spoke about the growth he's seen from the Magic over the last two seasons and where he sees them going from there.

"When I first got to Orlando, there weren't a lot of expectations for the team, and so there were a lot of expectations for me," the 21-year-old said. "But I wanted to have that rub off on the team. I wanted it to be team success. I wanted people to come back and start coming to the games. So it's just been awesome seeing the fan base grow, obviously, the organization grow, us just getting more serious and being in the playoffs.

"But now I think it's time to transition, kind of from that beginner stage of success and being happy about having success. Now, we're trying to be one of the household names of the East and of the league. That's not going to be easy - I know that, we all know that - but I think we're all ready for it and we're all excited."

The Magic finished 47-35 last season, clinching the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and their first playoff appearance since 2020. They lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, but it still provided Banchero with optimism for what's ahead.

"I think eventually, when it's all said and done, I'll look back to my second year, last year, and kind of look at it as the start," Banchero said. "That was kind of the start of something special."