Duke basketball: Magic make polarizing decision on Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic made a polarizing decision surrounding Duke basketball star Paolo Banchero.  

A lengthy Summer League is not meant for future superstars and the Orlando Magic have released they have a future All-Star on its hands with Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero.

Orlando pulled the plug on the summer exhibitions for Banchero after just two games in Vegas but the decision from the organization came hours before the No. 1 overall pick was scheduled to take the floor against Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The decision was met with praise by some fans and analysts while others wished the team let NBA fans watch its two young stars meet for the first time professionally in the highly anticipated Monday night matchup.

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The Magic cited the fact that they wanted to see other players get more action for the remainder of the week and properly evaluate who could help the franchise in the G-League this season as the team also shutdown RJ Hampton and Admiral Schofield for the event.

Oklahoma City won the matchup, 84-81, while Holmgren went for 16 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Paolo Banchero ends his Summer League career averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game against the likes of Jabari Smith, the No. 3 overall pick, and Keegan Murray, the No. 4 overall pick.

Orlando Magic shut down injury talk surrounding Duke basketball forward

There is no injury to Paolo Banchero causing him to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the summer.

The No. 1 overall pick was seen getting treatment on his lower leg following Saturday’s victory over the Sacramento Kings but it was later revealed that the former Blue Devils only suffered a cut on his toe and nothing serious.

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Banchero’s Duke teammate, AJ Griffin, has still yet to play in Las Vegas for the Atlanta Hawks through two games due to foot soreness while the rest of the Blue Devil rookies, Mark Williams, Wendell Moore, and Trevor Keels, remain on the floor with their respective teams.

The NBA has not released its 2022-23 regular season schedule but the hype surrounding the official debut of Paolo Banchero will be growing throughout the late summer and early fall.