Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero has won the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Fantasy Impact

The top pick of the 2022 NBA Draft lived up to it. In his rookie season, he averaged 20 points on 43% FG shooting and added 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He started off the year hot, scoring 20 or more points in each of his first six games. Though Banchero cooled off mid-season, he ended on a high note, accumulating three double-doubles in his final four games. Orlando could not have asked for a more promising start for their young forwards career.

Paolo Banchero (back) is now questionable for Friday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.

Fantasy Impact

Banchero was initially listed out by the team because of a back injury, but his status has since been upgraded to questionable. He will have a chance to play, and fantasy managers can expect more work for Chuma Okeke if the rookie remains out against the Nets.

Paolo Banchero (back) won't play in Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fantasy Impact

Banchero is set to miss Orlando's game against the Cavs because of back tightness. It's not a serious issue, but the team is looking to let him sit and rest for the remainder of the season. Chuma Okeke and Moritz Wagner are both set to get more work in the rookie's absence.

Paolo Banchero tallied 24 points (9-18 FG, 3-7 3P, 3-6 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, and a block across 29 minutes of Tuesday’s 113-108 loss to the Grizzlies.

Fantasy Impact

Banchero logged his 12th double-double on Tuesday while scoring the most points (24) he’s had in a game since the middle of March. He came out firing on all cylinders in his first season in the NBA. However, the rookie wall has become a reality for Banchero, with the combination of lowly defensive statistics and inefficient field goal percentage significantly putting a damper on his current fantasy value. Still, in the long run, Banchero projects to be one of the better players to have on rosters for seasons to come. With six games left on the schedule for the Magic, the Duke product will look to end strong. His first chance to do so will be Friday when the Magic travel to Washington to take on the Wizards. In his most recent meeting against the Wiz, Banchero flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

Paolo Banchero finished Thursday’s narrow loss to the Suns with 18 points (7-15 FG, 1-4 3P, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Fantasy Impact

Banchero failed to reach the 20-point threshold for only the second time in seven games. Still, over the last week, he’s gotten back to the player we saw earlier in the season. During that span, the Rookie of the Year frontrunner averaged 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists with 45.9/40.2/70.5 shooting splits. Banchero will look to maintain his groove against the Clippers on their home court Saturday.