Paolo Banchero voiced clear frustration with the Magic’s offensive performance after Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
Asked whether Orlando was reaching its potential in the half-court, Banchero pointed to the team’s results, saying, “I think our record answers that question, honestly.
“I’m not going to sit here and harp on the problems with our offense or what I think is wrong with our offense. But I don’t think anyone would say that it’s where it should be or could be.”
Robbins notes that Orlando ranks 23rd in the NBA in half-court points per possession.
Injuries to Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner have disrupted the season, while spacing and outside shooting remain concerns despite the trade for Desmond Bane.
The Magic, who hoped to contend for a top-four seed, are currently 28-25 and seventh in the East, with a middling offensive rating and a -0.4 net rating.
Their defense has also declined, falling to 14th after ranking among the league’s best the past two seasons.
Wendell Carter Jr. said offensive struggles have impacted the team’s defensive effort.
“(It’s) human nature,” he said. “It’s an offensive-driven league. Everybody wants to do good offensively, including myself, and sometimes we fall into that aspect of when it’s not going our way offensively, we allow it to affect our effort.
“We allow it to affect our defense. We allow it to affect us getting back (on defense after we miss shots). And that’s something, as a fairly young team, that we have to do a better job of, including myself.”
Southeast Notes: Banchero, Magic, Sarr, AD, Whitmore, Dennis https://t.co/pDD01JYf4J pic.twitter.com/9wMXeYQmzQ
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 13, 2026
