What Will Be Banchero’s No. 1 Strength and No. 1 Weakness in the Early Stages of his NBA Career?
Although it was a small sample size, Banchero at summer league looked like a well-rounded player, averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals and a block in the two games he played in. His size and strength, even at just 19 years old, overwhelmed summer league competition. It, obviously, won’t be that easy going up against the game’s best in the regular season, but all his attributes – physical tools, high basketball IQ, and a range of skills – makes him quite versatile. Expect the 6-foot-10, 255-pounder to get to the free throw line a lot. That’s something the Magic haven’t done enough of as a team the last several years, ranking 29th in the league last season in free throw attempts and in the bottom 10 in 10 of the last 12 seasons. What’s far blurrier is Banchero’s perimeter shooting touch. He shot 33.8 percent from 3-point distance in college.
How Much ‘Point Forward’ Will Banchero Play as a Rookie?
Perhaps the answer to this question will depend on how long Markelle Fultz is out. Orlando’s projected starting point guard is out indefinitely with a fractured toe, and his return to action will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation and treatment. Now, of course, the Magic have other guards to carry the torch while Fultz recovers – notably Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. But what’s so interesting about the Magic is that they have an abundance of playmakers across their roster. At Duke, Banchero orchestrated the offense quite a bit, which resulted in some of his teammates – such as fellow 2022 NBA Draft picks Wendell Moore Jr., AJ Griffin, and Mark Williams – making huge strides in their own offensive development. Passing might very well be Banchero’s No. 1 strength, so expect him to play a little bit of quarterback early on.
How Well Will Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. Mesh in Orlando’s Frontcourt?
Obviously, we don’t know yet who the Magic’s starters will be on opening night and beyond. Wagner started all 79 games he appeared in last season, while Carter was out there for the opening tip in 61 of his 62 games. Regardless, it’s critical for these three to play well together. Banchero’s passing, Wagner’s cutting, and Carter’s rolling/popping makes this trio – on paper at least – very formidable. Maybe their biggest strength collectively is their defensive adaptability. While there are some unanswered questions about Banchero’s long-term defensive outlook, his size and strength should give him an advantage in many of his individual matchups.
The Magic will need all three to knock down the long ball at a decent clip. Carter extended his range last season, making a career-best 70 triples, and Wagner was scorching from long distance at EuroBasket 2022 for his national team.