What Magic's Jamahl Mosley firing means for Paolo Banchero

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May 4, 2026 - 14:38

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What Magic's Jamahl Mosley firing means for Paolo Banchero originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Orlando Magic did not take long to dismiss head coach Jamahl Mosley following a third successive first-round exit.

Orlando dismissed Mosley after seasons on the job -- and less than 24 hours after the Magic's season ended with a 116-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of their first-round series. The firing comes after the Magic blew a 3-1 series lead against the top-seeded Pistons, who took control of the series following a crushing rally in Game 6 -- when the Magic were held to 19 second-half points and lost a 24-point advantage.

Mosley will receive sympathy in some quarters for navigating the Magic through another injury-littered campaign, when Orlando combatted injuries to All-Stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Wagner missed the final three games against the Pistons with a right calf strain after playing only 34 regular-season games; Banchero missed 10 games with a groin strain, and injuries limited him to 46 games played in 2024-25.

MORE: Ranking the 5 best Magic coaching candidates to replace Jamahl Mosley

The Magic's next coach will have an All-Star core to build around, in addition to elite shooter Desmond Bane and rising star Anthony Black. That could well presage a jolt up the Eastern Conference standings in 2026-27 -- especially if Mosley's replacement can unlock Banchero even further.

BREAKING: The Orlando Magic have dismissed head coach Jamahl Mosley, sources tell ESPN. Mosley's tenure in Orlando finishes after five seasons, including three consecutive playoff runs from 2023 to 2026. Orlando had a first-round elimination for the third straight time Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Gb4LOgu8aZ— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 4, 2026

Banchero's potential was on full display against the Pistons. He scored 38 points in Game 7, 45 points in Game 5 and boosted his career postseason scoring average to 27.4 points across 19 games.

The Magic often have Banchero or Wagner serve as 6'10'' point forwards. The stats underscore Banchero's passing ability: he averaged 6.3 assists per game against the Pistons after notching 5.2 per game during the regular season.

Banchero has been criticized for his inefficient shooting and overall shot selection. He has a max contract extension kicking in at the start of next season. But he was an All-Star two seasons ago and is rubbing shoulders with some elite company in terms of his playoff production.

A new coaching staff might put Banchero in more actions where he can use his gifted passing and get downhill more rather than settle for long 2-pointers or 3-point shots. A different voice in the Magic locker room could elevate Banchero -- who is still just 23 years old -- to the next level.