In an emphatic declaration that basketball glory days are not just a faded chapter in their history books, the Orlando Magic have roped in their prodigious power forward, Paolo Banchero, with a jaw-dropping five-year, $287 million max rookie contract extension. This move sends a clear signal: the Magic are brushing off the dust from the pages of their past chronicles and are ready to scribe a new chapter filled with triumph and headlines.
Casting back to the days when Dwight Howard donned the cape of “Superman” and basked in the spotlight of the NBA, the Orlando Magic perpetually danced on the edge of something magnificent. Fast forward to today, and their pursuit of that magic potion is catalyzed by binding Banchero to a long-term commitment. Orlando has grown weary of the “rebuilding” label and is poised to transition that narrative to “contending.”
Paolo Banchero, the Seattle wunderkind with Duke University’s blue blood in his veins, had no intentions of easing gently into the NBA spotlight. No, sir. Drafted first overall in 2022, Banchero casually seized the NBA Rookie of the Year crown with an impressive debut season stat line of 20.0 points and nearly 7 rebounds per game. Nothing like setting the expectations ablaze. By his sophomore year, Banchero didn’t just keep the fire lit; he poured gasoline on it, climbing to an average of 22.6 points per game and clinching his inaugural All-Star appearance in 2024.
Last season, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Banchero was on another plane. A sensational 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game made him the harbinger of hope for every Magic fan eager for a playoff resurgence. Magic followers, dust off those jerseys and ready your cheers, for optimism is making a grand re-entry.
After painful playoff absences and a few fleeting, underwhelming encounters, the Magic clawed their way back into postseason relevance last year, claiming the Southeast Division title with a balanced 41-41. The Eastern Conference, amidst some seismic shifts and trembles (yes, that means you, Boston and New York), has presented itself as fertile ground for opportunity. With rising star Franz Wagner complementing Banchero’s brilliance and strategic moves such as sending five first-round picks to snare three-point savant Desmond Bane, the Magic’s strategy is unmistakably win-now.
And while the power plays are executed on the hardwood, another arena of play emerges in the collector’s market. Orlando might not boast the allure of a major metropolis, but Banchero’s dazzling on-court performances coupled with his lucrative new contract are setting the collector circuit ablaze. For the casual card enthusiast, worry not—Banchero’s magic can still be accessed at modest prices. A base 2023-24 Panini Select Retail Blue is accessible for as little as a mere dollar, and his Duke rookie card from 2022 Panini Contenders recently auctioned for $1.59 on eBay—a definite steal for the savvy.
However, traversing the more exclusive terrain of card collecting reveals an escalation in demand and value. A plum 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Rookie Eruption Auto (#/75) flirts with the $200 mark, while a 2022 Panini Prizm Penmanship Purple Ice Auto (#/99) scales between $200 (Near Mint) and up to a princely $500 (Mint condition), according to the esteemed Beckett.
In these arenas, whether it’s the polished floors of an NBA court or the curated displays of a card collection, the time to act is now. With the Magic orchestra playing a harmonious tune this season, and ambitions soaring higher than ever, it could be time for fans and collectors to deepen their investments in Banchero.
The Orlando Magic aren’t just engineers of dreams for their roster; they’re architects of boundless possibilities for their ardent fans and collectors alike. As the upcoming season unfurls, there’s a distinct possibility that victories may come not only from the three-point arc but from the value hovering above the court and on collectible cards alike. With Banchero leading the charge—dynamism at his fingertips and magic under his soles—the court is set. Most importantly, the Magic’s commitment to brilliance is clearer than ever. It’s not merely about remaining contenders; it’s about reclaiming that enchanted word: champions.