Paolo Banchero, the reigning Rookie of the Year, has been impressing as a small-ball center for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. With his ability to handle the ball and create plays, Banchero has caught the attention of coach Steve Kerr.

Kerr has been using Banchero as a center with the bench unit, alongside true centers Bobby Portis and Walker Kessler. Kerr believes that having a ball-handling center can be difficult for FIBA teams to handle, and Banchero has shown that he can excel in this role.

In Team USA's recent victory over Germany, Banchero made all three of his shots and contributed three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. He even battled against his NBA teammate, Franz Wagner.

If Banchero can hold up defensively at the center position, it could greatly benefit the Orlando Magic. The team struggled in offensive rating, three-point shooting, and field-goal percentage last season. With Banchero's versatility, he could provide a much-needed spark to the team's offense.

Although Banchero only played 3% of his minutes at center last season, the departure of Mo Bamba and Bol Bol opens up an opportunity for him to take on a bigger role. The Magic will be interested to see if Banchero's FIBA performance can translate to success in the NBA.

Overall, Banchero's performance in the FIBA World Cup raises the question of whether he could thrive as a small-ball center for the Orlando Magic.