NBA Notes: Magic, Paolo Banchero, Wizards, Alex Sarr, Hawks

Magic

Magic star big man Paolo Banchero did not sugarcoat it.

Asked after Wednesday’s loss to Milwaukee whether Orlando is playing to its potential in the half-court, Banchero paused, then said the quiet part out loud.

“I think our record answers that question, honestly,” Banchero said, via The Athletic’s Josh Robbins. “I’m not going to sit here and harp on the problems with our offense or what I think is wrong with our offense. But I don’t think anyone would say that it’s where it should be or could be.”

The numbers back him up. As Robbins notes, the Magic rank 23rd in half-court points per possession. Injuries to Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner have again disrupted continuity, while spacing and shooting remain issues even after the Desmond Bane acquisition.

Orlando entered the season aiming for a top-four seed. Instead, the Magic sit 28-25, seventh in the East, with a middle-of-the-pack offense and a defense that has slipped to 14th after ranking near the top the past two seasons.

Center Wendell Carter Jr. said the offensive frustration has carried over.

“It’s human nature,” Carter said. “When it’s not going our way offensively, we allow it to affect our effort. … That’s something, as a fairly young team, that we have to do a better job of.”

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has publicly backed coach Jamahl Mosley, but Robbins notes that stance could be tested if the slide continues after the break.

Wizards

Alex Sarr sees a clean fit. The second-year Wizards center said he’s confident playing alongside Anthony Davis once both are healthy.

“He has a very complete game,” Sarr said, via Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports Network. “I can also step out and play inside-out, so I think it’ll be pretty seamless. Just getting the reps in.”

Not all the news was positive. Wing Cam Whitmore is out for the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, a condition that required three surgeries.

Whitmore recently discussed the health scare with Chris Mills on Monumental Sports Network.

Hawks

RayJ Dennis has made some serious noise.

The Hawks’ two-way guard set a G League scoring record with the College Park Skyhawks, pouring in 47 points Thursday. Dennis is the first player in franchise history with multiple 45-plus point games.

Without a doubt, it’s the kind of performance that forces a second look from the parent club.