Magic's Paolo Banchero & Jett Howard: The Next LeBron & Ray Allen?
ORLANDO - Orlando Magic rookie Jett Howard has the potential to carve out a significant role for himself as one of the team’s premier scoring threats, but perhaps the bigger takeaway should be what that’d do for rising star Paolo Banchero.
Shooting is precisely what this Orlando roster could use an influx of, considering that two of their highest-drafted players in recent memory (Anthony Black and Banchero) aren’t known for their jump shots. The 6-8 wing shot the ball well from deep in Summer League, earning himself some fans in the process.
“Howard, at 6-foot-8, has elite shooting potential mixed with some potent overall offense and more work to do in plenty of areas ... Howard is set to infuse the team with shooting, something it’s really lacked in the past few seasons,” SI’s Derek Parker writes.
Banchero is the reigning NBA Rookie of The Year, but not because teams feared him from the perimeter. In February, the star power forward shot an astounding three percent on his three-point attempts, just 1-33. For Paolo to reach his ceiling, the Magic must treat him like a young LeBron James.
When King James entered the league, he shot 29 percent from deep as a rookie, one percent lower than Paolo’s 30 in 2023. However, being surrounded by shooters helped alleviate the scoring burden as he developed his shot.
LeBron’s best season from three-point range was 2012-13, and it’s no coincidence that it was the first year he had Ray Allen playing alongside him on the Miami Heat and helping them win a title.
While Howard isn’t Allen just yet, the 40 percent clip he shot in Las Vegas is Allen’s exact career average on three-pointers and an encouraging sign of what could be in store for him and Banchero in Orlando.
You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.
Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.
Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.
Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
