PaoloBanchero

News: 15 hours agoBanchero ended with 10 points (1-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-10 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 18 minutes in Sunday's 119-105 preseason loss to Cleveland.

Spin: Banchero had his second consecutive double-digit preseason scoring performance. However, he had trouble finding the net once again Sunday and has now shot a combined 3-for-17 from the field in his first two preseason appearances. Banchero is coming off a productive 2025-26 campaign, averaging 22.2 points, 5.2 assists and a career-high 8.4 rebounds over 34.8 minutes per contest. He also appeared in 72 regular-season games after logging just 46 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign. New head coach Sean Sweeney spent time with Banchero over the summer and will reportedly give him the green light to go all out offensively in 2026-27, so there is reason to believe the 23-year-old could be named to the All-Star team for the second time in his career.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Banchero struggled with injury in 2024-25 but bounced back to play 72 games last season, the third time in his four seasons he has played at least 72 games. Banchero's game and production have been largely consistent through his first four NBA seasons, but his scoring dipped almost four points per game last season due to increased scoring talent among his teammates. Banchero's volume is slightly capped playing alongside proven scorers Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane.