Drake vs. Future: Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero Picks Side During Rap Beef

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has taken a side in the rap beef between legendary rappers Future and Drake.

Paolo Banchero takes side in Drake vs. Future rap beef / USA TODAY Sports

Music titans Drake and Future have been engaged in a rap war, and before Future’s latest album, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU, dropped this morning, Orlando Magic superstar Paolo Banchero weighed in on who’s best. 

In the spirit of March Madness season, Banchero completed a bracket challenge of his top rappers after Future dropped his last album, WE DON’T TRUST YOU, for an in-arena Magic jumbotron promo. When he got to the finals, the only two men left standing were Future and Drake. Who he chose might surprise you.

Paolo Banchero takes side in Drake vs. Future rap beef / USA TODAY Sports

“Future Hendrix for the win, man,” Banchero said. “Future because I think he can go head to head with any artist when it comes to hits, hit for hit. I think he’s been going just as long as Drake—had the same run. I think they’re both dropping heat consistently still, so you could really pick either one, but my personal preference…I’ll take Future.”

Drake has been a longtime supporter of the NBA and is a massive supporter of the Toronto Raptors, Orlando’s conference rival. The last time Drake was involved in a rap beef of this magnitude was with Meek Mill, a Philadelphia 76ers fan. 

Back then, Drake infamously dropped consecutive diss tracks at the Philly rapper with his iconic hit single Back to Back, winning him that rap war back in 2015. 

Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, Banchero and the Magic will go against the 76ers in Philadelphia as Orlando attempts to clinch its first playoff berth since 2020. Despite siding with Drake’s rival, Future, Banchero now must try to take a page out of Drake’s playbook from nearly a decade ago when he defeated Meek Mill and turn Philly fans' dreams into nightmares by handing them a loss.