Banchero's Ankle Puts Orlando's Forward Depth on Notice

Paolo Banchero left Friday's loss to Minnesota early with a right ankle issue, and by Saturday the picture had clarified in the worst way: a low-grade high ankle sprain, multiple weeks out, possibly four to six. It's early October and the Magic's best player is already on the shelf.

The forward depth chart now falls to Tristan da Silva and Franz Wagner to carry the load. Wagner's own camp availability was a concern I was writing about a month ago, so how he holds up physically over an extended stretch matters here. Da Silva is a capable piece but has not been asked to be a primary option for a sustained run.

The next few weeks will tell Orlando something useful, even if the circumstances are lousy. Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane will need to do more from the guard spots to take pressure off whoever is playing the four. The roster, per the depth chart, has bodies — it just doesn't have a clean Banchero replacement. Nobody does.