Paolo Banchero’s All-Star Snub and Team USA Hopes: What Comes Next for the Magic’s Franchise Star
When the season tipped off, Orlando Magic fans had reason to believe this year would be different. The team had momentum, young talent, and the kind of buzz that hinted at a potential All-Star breakthrough. But as the All-Star Weekend arrives, the Magic find themselves without a single representative - a disappointing reality shaped by injuries and inconsistency, particularly for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
Both players looked poised to make a leap this season. Banchero, fresh off a max extension and a strong World Cup showing with Team USA, was expected to cement his status among the league’s elite young stars. Wagner, too, was building a compelling All-Star case before a high ankle sprain in December derailed his campaign.
And while Wagner’s injury all but knocked him out of the conversation, Banchero’s case is more complicated - and, frankly, more frustrating.
A Season That Raises Questions
Let’s be clear: Banchero is still putting up solid numbers. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game - a stat line many young players would kill for. He’s shooting a career-best 55.9% true shooting percentage, and while his defense has taken a step back, he’s become a more willing passer, trying to impact the game even when his shot isn’t falling.
But this was supposed to be the season where he left no doubt. Instead, he’s on the outside looking in, not just for the All-Star Game, but potentially for something even bigger: a future spot on Team USA.
Team USA Picture Gets Crowded
Banchero’s inclusion on the 2023 FIBA World Cup roster felt like a turning point. He was a rising star, a dual-national talent who chose to represent the U.S. over Italy - a decision that wasn’t just symbolic, but strategic. Team USA saw him as part of its next generation.
But the landscape is shifting. The NBA’s new All-Star format - Team USA vs.
The World - is giving fans an early look at the depth chart for future international competitions, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And right now, Banchero’s name isn’t at the top of that list.
It’s not just about his numbers. It’s about the competition.
The pipeline is loaded with talent. From established stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton to rising names like Jalen Williams and Bam Adebayo, the frontcourt is getting crowded.
And that’s before you even factor in the next wave of elite prospects - names like Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Cameron Boozer, who are already drawing attention from USA Basketball.
Then there’s the role-player effect. Team USA has always valued glue guys - defenders, shooters, hustle players who don’t need the ball to make an impact. That opens doors for players like Jalen Suggs, who could sneak onto a roster not with gaudy stats, but with grit and defensive versatility.
The Path Back to the Red, White and Blue
The good news for Banchero? He’s already in the program.
He’s built relationships. Steve Kerr praised him during the World Cup.
Erik Spoelstra - now in the head coach’s seat for Team USA - has seen Banchero shine up close, especially when the Magic face the Heat. And Jamahl Mosley, Banchero’s head coach in Orlando, is part of the Select Team infrastructure.
That kind of familiarity matters. USA Basketball values continuity and commitment. They made it a priority to bring Banchero into the fold, and he’s shown he wants to be there.
When the Magic traveled to Europe in January, Banchero fielded questions about his international future. His response? He’s all in.
“Being in the U.S. and L.A., it's going to be in our backyard,” Banchero told Olympics.com. “And I'm a West Coast kid from Seattle, so LA is not far.
If I was able to be on that team, it would be a huge, huge opportunity. I’m sure I would put my all on the line to try and get the gold medal."
That’s the mindset Team USA wants. But now it’s about backing it up on the court.
What It’ll Take
For Banchero, the path forward is simple - not easy, but simple. He has to play better.
He has to lead the Magic deeper into the playoffs. He has to become the kind of player who makes it impossible to leave him off a roster, whether it’s for the All-Star Game, the World Cup, or the Olympics.
There’s still time. He’s only in his third season.
The production is there - it just hasn’t translated into wins or national buzz yet. But if he can elevate his game, especially on the defensive end, and help Orlando take the next step as a team, the accolades will follow.
Right now, the Magic have two All-Star-caliber players in Banchero and Wagner. But injuries and timing have kept them from getting the recognition they deserve. That can change - and fast.
For Paolo Banchero, the mission is clear: remind the league, and Team USA, why he was once seen as a cornerstone for the future. The next few seasons will define not just his place in Orlando, but his place in the global basketball conversation.