Paolo Banchero Inks Rookie Max Extension With Magic

Paolo Banchero Inks Rookie Max Extension With Magic

The Orlando Magic have been making a lot of moves this offseason, gearing up for a run next season. On Monday, they gave Paolo Banchero a five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach up to $287 million, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported.

Breaking: Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million, Mike Miller of LIFT Sports Management tells ESPN. Deal includes a player option; the first for a rookie max since 2021 (Luka Doncic, Trae Young). pic.twitter.com/bwnCrJbnmu

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2025

The Magic disappointed last season but managed to earn the No. 7 seed with 41 wins. However, they dealt with a lot of injuries over the vast majority of the season. Now, with a wide-open Eastern Conference, Orlando is calling their shot to make a deep playoff run.

Banchero was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The former Duke Blue Devil won Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Honors. He then became an All-Star in his sophomore season, but his third year was heavily derailed by injuries. Banchero averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season but only played 46 games. 

Nonetheless, the Magic liked what they saw from their young star before his injuries, so they felt comfortable offering him a max contract.

This new contract makes Banchero one of the highest-paid players in the league, putting him up there with other young stars such as Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards contract-wise. 

Orlando Magic Continued

The Magic had a good 2025 NBA draft, getting great value on both of their picks. Guards Jase Richardson and Noah Penda both slid a little bit lower than some mocks predicted.

The surprise move Orlando made in June was trading for guard Desmond Bane. One of the major issues for the Magic last year was 3-point shooting. Now, they have a career 41 percent 3-point shooter in Bane and Richardson, who shot 41 percent in his one year at Michigan State.

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Bane was a win-now move for Orlando, which will try to capitalize on a weak East next year. However, upside picks like Richardson and Penda show Orlando is still striving for sustainable success.

That point can not be illustrated any better by the Magic breaking the bank on a contract extension for their star player, Paolo Banchero.

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