Magic’s Paolo Banchero Candid About Potential Contract Extension

Now on a path to be one of the faces of the league, not just the Magic, Banchero is seen as a cornerstone player that’s worthy of a maximum contract extension.

For Banchero, the magic number is $247 million. The 22-year-old shared his thoughts on potentially inking such a lucrative deal with ESPN Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.

“It’s A Blessing”

“I was in over my head when I signed my rookie [contract],” Banchero exclaims. “So, I really haven’t thought much about that…”

“I haven’t really said that number ($247 million) or I didn’t even know what the number was or what it will be. But it’s a blessing and hopefully all that stuff works out if I’m able to sign with the team and lock in my future.”

“That’s every young player’s goal coming into this league,” he adds, “establishing yourself early, get a second contract. So, when time comes, I’m sure all that stuff we can figure out. I don’t know. They say more money, more problems. So, we’ll see what happens.”

The son of a former professional basketball player (Rhonda Smith-Banchero), Banchero probably isn’t unfamiliar with the concept of financial stability or success. It helps that his father, Mario, is a resource he can lean on when it comes to managing his assets. Still, the Seattle native is in new territory.

A place where he’s thankful to be.

“I didn’t grow up dirt [poor] or anything like that, but I definitely didn’t grow up rich,” Banchero reveals.

“So, being able to be in this position, for not only me but my family, I thank God every day, honestly. It’s really not just because of me. I thank God for allowing me to bless the people who work so hard to provide for me my whole life. Whether it’s my mom and dad, my grandma, grandpa, my aunties, uncles. I just really had a village that helped raise me, helped take care of me coming up.”

“…It’s just awesome knowing that they don’t have to worry about anything,” Banchero says of his loved ones. “I can take care of them now… They made sure I was always good and now I can kind of reverse it make sure that they’re always good. It’s a blessing.”

A budding superstar, Banchero’s best has yet to come. With his character, even those who aren’t Magic fans have to root for him.