After the Orlando Magic were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics, forward Paolo Banchero made it clear he wasn’t interested in sugarcoating the outcome or celebrating close games.
For Banchero, anything short of advancing simply isn’t enough – he’s not in it for participation trophies or silver linings.
“We wanted to go to the second round. I don’t think anyone is necessarily happy that we didn’t get blown out in four games. That wasn’t the goal,” Banchero stated bluntly.
“The goal was to win and go to the second round. I’m not taking any moral victories from this series. The goal was to win.”
The 22-year-old rising star put up impressive numbers throughout the five-game series, averaging 29.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.
He has now appeared in 12 playoff games over the past two seasons, consistently delivering strong performances that underscore his value as a cornerstone of the Magic’s future.
With one year remaining on his rookie-scale contract, Banchero is now eligible for a contract extension.
The Magic are widely expected to offer him a maximum extension, likely structured to allow for a 30% cap share under the designated player rules – an investment that reflects not just his talent, but the fire and accountability he brings as a franchise leader.
Paolo Banchero Not Taking Any Moral Victories From Playoff Loss https://t.co/7j41tHxSNv
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 30, 2025
