- Welcome To OTIA Sports!
The Orlando Magic aren't messing around—they’ve officially locked in their star power forward Paolo Banchero with a whopping five-year, $287 million max rookie contract extension. If Banchero reaches all the incentives in that deal, he’ll be celebrating big-time, and Magic fans will have plenty to cheer about.
It’s no secret Orlando wants back into those glory days when they could hang with anyone—remember when Dwight Howard was still smiling and Superman-ing around the court? Yeah, those days. By inking Banchero to this long-term deal, they're making it clear they're tired of rebuilding and ready to start contending again.
Banchero, the Seattle native and former Duke standout, hasn’t wasted any time proving he was worth the hype. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2022, he snagged the NBA Rookie of the Year award with an impressive 20.0 points and nearly 7 boards a night. By year two, he raised the bar even higher, averaging 22.6 points per game and earning his first All-Star nod in 2024.
Last season, Banchero’s numbers were off the charts—25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. No wonder Orlando fans are suddenly optimistic again.
After several frustrating playoff droughts (and a couple brief, disappointing appearances), the Magic finally returned to the playoffs last season after clinching the Southeast Division title at a balanced 41-41. With other East contenders shaking things up (looking at you, Boston and New York), Orlando sees an opportunity. Alongside Franz Wagner—and after going all-in by trading five first-rounders to grab sharpshooter Desmond Bane—Orlando is officially in win-now mode.
Even though Orlando isn’t exactly a big-market team, Banchero’s recent play (and huge new contract) has collectors buzzing. Casual collectors can easily find affordable Banchero cards—for example, a base 2023-24 Panini Select Retail Blue can still be snagged for around a dollar. Even his Duke rookie card from 2022 Panini Contenders recently sold on eBay for a budget-friendly $1.59.
However, serious collectors hunting for higher-end pieces will find prices trending upward. His 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Rookie Eruption Auto (#/75) approaches the $200 mark, while his 2022 Panini Prizm Penmanship Purple Ice Auto (#/99) ranges from around $200 (Near Mint) to as high as $500 (Mint condition), according to Beckett.
In other words, Magic fans—now might be a good time to start adding to your Banchero collection, before prices climb even higher with Orlando's playoff push.
