Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is setting his expectations high entering his fifth NBA season, with winning the Eastern Conference among his primary goals for the 2026-27 campaign.
Banchero revealed his lofty expectations during Monday's Media Day while also discussing an important lesson he learned from working out with Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant during the offseason.
A video of Banchero training alongside Durant drew attention during the summer, but the Magic forward explained that the session captured on camera represented only one of several opportunities he has had to work with the future Hall of Famer.
“It’s funny everybody keeps asking me about them workouts. That was only one workout, just happened to be cameras there but I love working with KD,” Banchero said. “I have in the past before and I think the biggest thing I take from him, obviously our games are a lot different and our bodies are a lot different, but I think the biggest thing I take from him is just how he works out and the intensity in which he works out and how every rep he does is game speed.”
Banchero said Durant's approach rather than a particular move or skill has provided the biggest lesson.
“I think those are the biggest things I’ve learned from him,” Banchero said. “And just for him to allow me to workout with him and to take me under his wing a little bit and give me some pointers is definitely a help.”
The experience comes as Banchero prepares for another significant season as the centerpiece of an Orlando team attempting to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time with its current core.
Banchero will also enter the season playing for a new head coach after Orlando hired Sean Sweeney.
Paolo Banchero building relationship with Sean Sweeney
The relationship between the two began almost immediately after Sweeney landed the position. Banchero said he was surprised by how quickly the first-year Magic coach contacted him, but their initial conversation became the beginning of consistent communication throughout the offseason.
“He called me right after he got the job,” Banchero said. “I was honestly surprised to hear from him so early and it was just a great conversation from the jump. We had multiple long conversations and like I said, got to pick his brain.”
Sweeney's effort extended beyond phone conversations. Banchero said the new coach traveled to Seattle to spend time with him and work together before the start of training camp.
“He came to Seattle for a couple of days to work with me and meet with me, and so [I] really enjoyed spending that time with him and from there it’s just been constant communication – him telling me what he expects from me, asking me what I want, and stuff like that so can’t ask anything more from a new coach and just excited to go to war with him.”
Sweeney has emphasized establishing a new identity built around competition, connectivity and toughness entering his first season. Banchero believes those changes will be noticeable despite Orlando returning many of the same players.
“I think our organization will be better in terms of our team and just how we go out there and play every night,” Banchero said. “I think guys will be setting their roles. I think we’ll be a lot more intense out there on both sides of the ball and a lot more together as well so like you said, it’s the same team but I think things will be different.”
Article Continues BelowPaolo Banchero sets lofty Magic goal after Kevin Durant lesson for 2026-27
Those changes arrive at a pivotal point for Orlando.
The Magic have reached the postseason in three consecutive seasons but have yet to advance beyond the opening round with Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs leading the current core. Orlando came particularly close last season, building a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons before losing three consecutive games.
The organization has since turned to Sweeney and will enter the new season with a roster also featuring Desmond Bane, Wendell Carter Jr. and returning former All-Star Nikola Vucevic.
For Banchero, merely returning to the postseason is not the standard he has set.
“I would say my main goal this year outside of winning the Eastern Conference is to just go out there and dominate every single night,” Banchero said.
That objective represents another step in the expectations surrounding the former No. 1 overall pick as he enters Year 5.
After spending part of his offseason learning from Durant and beginning to build a relationship with Sweeney, Banchero will now attempt to turn those lessons into results as Orlando pursues its deepest postseason run with the current group.
The Magic will open the 2026-27 regular season against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. ET in Orlando.