Paolo Banchero raves about Tristan da Silva’s malleability

Paolo Banchero raves about Tristan da Silva’s malleability

The 2024 NBA Draft class was perceived to be one of the weaker draft classes in weaker memory because of the lack of talent at the top of the draft. Though intermixed after the top-5 was a litany of players who could positively impact right away.

While former Colorado forward Tristan da Silva, who was drafted No. 18 overall to the Orlando Magic, wasn’t in the rotation right away, he burst onto the scene amid a plethora of injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, among others.

In a recent interview with Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel, Banchero, who returned to action last week after a two-month absence (oblique), raved about da Silva’s malleability with the rest of the team.

“He can kind of fit out there with anybody, any lineup,” Banchero said. “He finds his way on both sides of the ball.

“He’s just a natural.”

Through 37 games, da Silva is averaging 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.6 minutes per game, shooting 41.9 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from 3-point range and 81.6 percent from the free-throw line. Though over his last 13 games entering Sunday (left game after one minute due illness), he’s averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 52.9 percent true-shooting.

His shooting hasn’t quite translated, but the defense has improved as the season’s gone on. Coming out of Colorado, I loved his acumen on both sides of the rock and the understanding of angles, even if he wasn’t always the lightest with his feet. Banchero agrees.

“He’s just a really cerebral player,” he said. “Great guy [with] a great feel for the game. I enjoy playing with him and I’ve been watching him all season. … He’s gotten better and better every game.”

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The 6-foot-8 rookie has been one of the better rookies in the class that features Stephon Castle, Jaylen Wells, Yves Missi and Alex Sarr. Once the Magic get healthy, it will be curious to see if he continues to be thrown in the fire by head coach Jamahl Mosley. The traits are the traits, and da Silva has winning traits, though there are only so many bodies to fill an 8-9-man rotation, especially when April rolls around.

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