Will the Star Power Forward of the Orlando Magic Make His First All-NBA Team?
Paolo Banchero has had a solid career so far. He started off his NBA career being drafted with the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic, and he went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Since then, he's been an all-star and has consistently put up solid numbers. Last season, due to injuries, he was only able to play 46 games, which made him ineligible for any awards. In the 2025-2026 season, Banchero is primed to have an impressive season, improving from past years, and he can make a push to make his first All-NBA team.
The biggest factor in Banchero's leap next year is the improvements the Magic have made to their roster. Banchero’s archetype of a player benefits from having perimeter shooters play next to them so they can take advantage of the rim pressure he can have. Banchero is a solid mid-range shooter, and his build allows him to muscle his way to the rim. The only hole in his game is his three-point shooting. After trading for Desmond Bane, the offense will improve, making it easier for Banchero to score, since the opposing defenses won't be able to pay as much attention to him, or they risk leaving Bane open on the perimeter. This offensive development will allow Banchero to take on more of a point forward approach, using his ability to draw attention to the paint to get open shots for Bane and Franz Wagner. His points and assists per game are likely to leap next year due to these changes, and his stat line should be impressive enough to get All-NBA votes. Plus, if the Magic can finish with a high seeding in the Eastern Conference, then the narrative will be that Banchero is a generational talent for the Magic and is on the cusp of postseason success.
If Banchero makes the All-NBA team next season, it would most likely be the All-NBA Third Team. The 2025 All-NBA Third Team consisted of Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jalen Williams. If Banchero elevates to the All-NBA team, it would be to the level of Cade and Haliburton, a young player putting up great stats on a competitive team that is among the top in their conference. Since Haliburton is out for the season due to a torn Achilles, Banchero could slide right into that open spot. The first two runner-ups for the All-NBA team are Alperen Sengun and Jaren Jackson Jr. Banchero will be able to outperform both of them as the Grizzlies will have a down year after losing Bane, and Sengun will have a hard taking making the list since he's no longer the best player on his team, after the Kevin Durant trade. After a career year, Banchero’s All-NBA Award is all but guaranteed.
