Paolo Banchero spent the offseason focusing on his conditioning after leading the Orlando Magic to the team’s first playoff appearance since 2020.

Following a narrow loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the first round, Banchero told David Aldridge of The Athletic that his goal was to prepare for a longer postseason run.

“What I realized in the playoffs is that it takes you being in tip-top, elite shape to make a full run. After that Game 7, I was all the way spent. … In my head, I’m like, Cleveland’s going to play Boston in two days. If I feel like this [after the first round], how would I be able to shake back for another series, another two or three more series if I want to go all the way? It made me realize that I have to get in better shape, so that was my whole summer. I worked on my body three or four days a week — sometimes lifting, sometimes agility, some days conditioning. Just trying to get in the best shape heading into this season. And obviously, as the season goes on and on, just trying to stay consistent with my habits, and once you get to the playoffs, just having that second wind.”

The Seattle native went back home to get in better shape during the summer, as he spent time with his personal trainer on a local slope known as “Heart Attack Hill.”

Banchero was the offensive engine for an Orlando team that thrived in slow, defensive battles. The Magic finished the 2023-24 season with the fourth-slowest pace and the third-best defensive rating in the association (via NBA.com).

After winning Rookie of the Year in 2023, he followed it up by making the first All-Star appearance of his career last year. Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from three.

He improved even further in the playoffs, recording 27.0 points and 8.6 rebounds each night on 45.6/40.0/75.5 shooting splits against Cleveland.

Banchero also averaged 37.4 minutes per game during the series, which appeared to take a physical toll on him. While he dropped 38 points in Game 7, he shot just 10-28 in the loss.

His training has impressed Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, who has raved about his offseason work ethic.

“The work that Paolo [Banchero] has put in this summer is on a different level,” Mosley told Steve Aschburner of NBA.com.

Banchero will be returning to a Magic team that has playoff aspirations. Franz Wagner should be Orlando’s second-leading scorer once again after averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game last season.

Cole Anthony is expected to continue operating as the team’s sixth man, while Jalen Suggs earned his first All-Defensive nod following his 2023-24 campaign. The Magic also made a splash in free agency, improving their spacing by signing shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year contract worth $66 million.

With heightened expectations for Orlando entering the regular season, Banchero understood the preparation needed to lead the team on a longer playoff run.