Orlando Magic Forward Paolo Banchero Drawing More Attention From Defenses?

With how much of a threat Paolo Banchero is for the Orlando Magic, is he going to have to start adjusting to the more intense defense that teams bring against him?

Paolo Banchero is turning into one of the best young stars in the NBA, and as a result, he is drawing more attention from opposing defenses.

With how young the roster of the Orlando Magic is, the consistency of the team's shooting can be pretty up and down. And many people, including ESPN's Zach Lowe, believe that this inconsistency with shooting could lead to teams not worrying about the other players on the Magic as much as Banchero.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) trys to finish against the tough defense of Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

"I am already on record predicting at least one of Banchero and Wagner makes his first All-Star team by the 2025 edition," Lowe wrote. "The Magic have to lean hard on both because their guards are the weakest part of their offense. (Jalen Suggs does so much so well, but he's still shooting 39% overall and 33% on 3s. He always appears so close to turning that corner.) It's easier for defenses to load toward Banchero when they aren't worried about any of Orlando's shooters."

So one of the things that the team needs to work on is helping out Banchero by relieving some of the pressure that is being put on him by opposing defenses. And the main thing that Banchero could work on is being a willing passer and not forcing those passes.

Magic 'Learning How to Win', Says Paolo Banchero

"Banchero is trying passes that aren't there," Lowe wrote. "Either failing to anticipate how defenses will rotate or underestimating how much ground they can cover."

Banchero will get his next chance to prove that he can deal with the heightened defense when he and the rest of the Magic play Tyrese Halliburton and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.