Mateo Mayorga

Joined: Sep 10, 2025

Dec 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Dec 7, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) gestures after making a three point shot in the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Nov 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) dunks past Los Angeles Clippers center Mo Bamba (4) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Nov 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

News

There is no way to slice it: Banchero has not been a big-time player, and he needs to be at an All-NBA level for the Magic to get where they want.

Apr 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) warms up before game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

News

The extra value in this rotation sustaining its potency for more minutes/games this year is that Paolo Banchero won’t have to work as hard, saving more of him for the postseason.

Apr 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) dribbles against Atlanta Hawks guard Terance Mann (14) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

News

da Silva has to make opponents wish they never thought about doubling Wagner.

Apr 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

News

The most obvious similarity between both teams is their jail yard defense and how it neuters rivals.

Mar 21, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) and head coach Jamahl Mosley react during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

News

The Magic must rack up wins against the best teams in the regular season.

Apr 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball under Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

News

Isaac cannot be judged fairly by looking at the stat sheet.

Apr 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket past Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

News

Teams must play well on the way to the postseason so they develop good habits for winning rounds.

Apr 8, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley looks on during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

News

If the Magic were to fall short of expectations, the blame usually goes on the guy who is less difficult to replace: the head coach.

Apr 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) warms up before game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic star is expected to make a leap.

Apr 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) in the second quarter during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic are on the rise.