The Orlando Magic returned to the postseason last year after a three-season drought, led by young talent in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jaden Suggs, among others.

And Banchero believes it was just the beginning of something special. He appeared on ESPN’s First Take Friday and said he believes the Magic are ready to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference:

“We feel like we’re right there. We’re right there with all those (elite teams in the East). I remember last year, we started the year off as a top-two, top-three seed and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everybody thought we were going to be a play-in team and drop out the top of the East. We finished strong and got the fifth seed and had a chance to really grab the two seed at the end of the season. We were right there last year. We got better this year. I got better; all of us got better. We got some new pieces that are going to help a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top-four, top-three team, and have a chance to win the East.”

The Magic didn’t rest on their laurels, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency to round out a solid staring group. Whether it was enough to put the Magic in the realm of teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks or even the Cleveland Cavaliers or Indiana Pacers remains to be seen, however.

If Banchero, 21, takes another leap in year three, however, the Magic could very well be a tough out. Expectations are certainly high heading into the 2024-25 campaign.