Paolo Banchero Out Indefinitely with a Torn Oblique. Reevaluated in 4-6 Weeks.

[Last Guardian]

Interest to see the rotation and who steps up. A lot of the doom is understandable, but not a whole lot changes in the fact that Magic will win with defense, and arguably they just got better defensively (depending on who coach decides to play more).

[Knightro]

My guess is that they start Jett and move Cole back into the rotation.

If Cole is going to be back in the rotation, I would just start Black.

I think Cole's completely useless if he's not able to handle the ball.

He's been bad on the ball too, but at least there's a chance he can contribute on the ball. There's nothing he brings to the table off it.

[MAGICian619]

This could end up being the best thing for this Magic team long term. It was starting to feel like everyone was leaning on Paolo too much. Time for the rest of the team to step it up, develop and be more ready to support your superstar when he is back.

[anothermagicfan]

This sucks for Paolo. He seems like the type of guy that comes back quicker than most from injuries. Hope he's back sooner than later and fully healed.

Great opportunity for the magic to see what kinda lineups we can throw out there now.

I imagine first choice is starting JI with something more like 25 minutes.

A lot of different looking lineups being tossed out and I don't hate any of them. Well except for the ones including Cole.

Moe starting could happen.
Sliding WCJ to the 4 alongside Goga could be interesting against some teams.
Sliding Franz to the 4 and inserting AB or Jett or Harris could be interesting.

I think there's a chance for many of these different lineups to get an opportunity.

TDS should get some playing time for sure.

[eyriq]

My guess is that they start Jett and move Cole back into the rotation.

If Cole is going to be back in the rotation, I would just start Black.

I think Cole's completely useless if he's not able to handle the ball.

He's been bad on the ball too, but at least there's a chance he can contribute on the ball. There's nothing he brings to the table off it.

You know, I get this. He's a playmaker for himself and others, and doesn't do much off ball. Makes sense to slot him in as the key playmaker and first option.

A backcourt with AB and Cole is by nature going to sacrifice AB usage, and if we want AB to have a bigger role he needs a different partner. He's actually really good off ball but Cole probably isn't a good enough playmaker to weaponize it.

I'm at the point where I'd rather see MacClung over Cole.

[Ducklett]

This is going to be like watching an alternate reality where we didn't draft Paolo.

[Fortune Teller]

JI can’t start. It would mean changing your starting lineup every other game at a minimum.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

JI can’t start. It would mean changing your starting lineup every other game at a minimum.

It’s crazy how much they baby JI, now’s the time to see what he can do. if he can’t play 20+ minutes then he can be added to the misfits of Cole/Gary/Goga and on

[RookieStar]

This is going to be like watching an alternate reality where we didn't draft Paolo.

No.. it'll be like the tank-wars all over again...

[SOUL]

This is going to be like watching an alternate reality where we didn't draft Paolo.

No.. it'll be like the tank-wars all over again...

Not even close. Those weren't NBA players.

[Fortune Teller]

If Welt didn’t go after a pg because he figured Paolo initiates the offense anyway…

[RookieStar]

This is going to be like watching an alternate reality where we didn't draft Paolo.

No.. it'll be like the tank-wars all over again...

Not even close. Those weren't NBA players.

Cole and Moe show? Yeah.. it'll def be dejavu... Injured Gary Harris.. RJ can be played by AB and Chuma by KCP lol

[CZ Eddie]

As long as we're a .500 team while Paolo is out, we'll still be in great shape for the playoffs.
And I think we'll easily be .500+!

As for replacement players, just find an older, experienced PF who isn't expecting to play heavy minutes or be here more than a year.
Cuz as soon as Paolo is back, he's relegated to the bench again.

Free agent PF listing:
https://www.nba.com/players/free-agent-tracker/2024

[J-Mezzy]

We will be fine

We can beat anyone bar the Cs in the first round as a low seed just as easily as we could have lost to several teams if we were a top seed.

Let’s just stay competitive and get in the playoffs

[cedric76]

This is a blessing in disguise.

We ll be able to see what our team is made of

Unleash our young guys

[I Rasharted]

But also, why are people claiming Banchero will be out all year, lol? He'll be back, step away from the ledge.

Agreeing with eyriq: Magic could/should be around .500 with Banchero out.

Probably out for calendar year, 2024?

Just like reports say in early April "done for a season" than you figure he is out for remaining 3 games

Riiiight. I read "out all year" and think "out for 24/25." Move along, nothing to see here.

[Skybox]

I really like AB and see his defensive strength out there, but we all see his offense weakness. Trust me when I say this, but we are doing him a huge disservice not having a veteran pg in there to teach him. You can’t throw the kid to the fire and say go learn on your own on the fly when we have nobody there to teach him

We have Joseph.

I don’t think, at this juncture at least, good advice from a career backup who can’t even get on the floor is what he needs. I’m not disparaging CoJo, I just mean that referent authority comes from seeing a guy who is still occasionally better than you - even if in limited minutes. CP3 for Castle is a perfect situation…even when/if CP3 deeply declines, he’s got that “listen kid, I’ve got 5x more points, steals, and assists than you’ll ever have”. Not sure who that is, but Schroeder might be the most available…and just like CP3, he’s not going to just hand over the keys willingly, which will be good for AB, imo, even if just for a good chunk of one season.

Btw, anyone notice how long CP3 has been relevant…he was deemed “untradable” and “done” before OKC even. Hats off to a truly fierce & crafty warrior.

[pepe1991]

This is going to be like watching an alternate reality where we didn't draft Paolo.

Jabari Smith alternate timelime, Jabari is played by Da Silva

[T-Cat]

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[RookieStar]

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Its happening!!! The DUKE connection