Paolo Banchero is one of the best young players in the Eastern Conference. The Orlando Magic forward won Rookie of the Year after entering the league as the first overall pick in 2022. He followed up his strong debut season with an All-Star selection as a sophomore.

The Magic are led by young All-Star Paolo Banchero who averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the 2023-24 season leading Orlando to the No. 5 seed in the East and one win away from the East semifinals. One has to expect that he will be leading the Magic to success for a long time in the NBA.

The Celtics just have so much talent and depth and continuity. The Bucks and the Sixers are geared to have bounced back seasons. The New York Knicks are ready to make an even deeper playoff push. But Paolo Banchero and the Magic showed that they are a very real team that can make some playoff noise in years to come.

Yet, when it was asked on Podcast P who 25 and under George would build his franchise around today, with the added criteria that he could not pick Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama, he named Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic.

Entering year three, Paolo Banchero has all the makings of a star for an Orlando Magic team on the rise. Efficiency is imperative for him to take the next step, but the All-Star forward needs help in making it happen.