The Orlando Magic improved dramatically with Paolo Banchero’s first two seasons, winning 47 games in 2023-24 after 34 the year before and just 22 in 2021-22, per John Schuhmann of NBA.com.
Last season, however, they regressed despite ranking second in defense – their best in 16 years – allowing 4.6 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average. The real issue was offense, which remained in the bottom 10 for the 13th consecutive season.
Banchero and Franz Wagner didn’t start the streak of inefficiency but need more offensive help and better shooting themselves. Enter Desmond Bane, acquired in June for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks, and a pick swap.
Stagnation in Orlando
The Magic ranked near the bottom in both ball movement and player movement last season: 27th in passes per 24 minutes and 26th in miles traveled.
Banchero led the league in isolations, but the team averaged just 0.97 points per isolation, and Wagner only 0.86. Off-ball movement and passing were limited, and Banchero’s assist rate was low even among high-usage players.
Bane on the move
Bane’s movement and off-ball shooting can spark Orlando’s stagnant offense. With the Grizzlies, he traveled more than anyone on the Magic and thrived off the dribble and catch.
His scoring efficiency has remained steady (58.9–60.6% TS) even as his assisted field-goal rate dropped.
Transition and spacing
Bane’s playmaking has grown each season, helping teammates like Banchero and Wagner get better opportunities. Coming from a team that scored a league-leading 32.8 transition points per game, Bane can push the pace, creating easy buckets and off-the-catch opportunities.
If the Magic leverage him well, their 13-year offensive inefficiency streak could finally end in 2025-26.
