Paolo Banchero is ‘certainly’ an MVP candidate this season, says Wendell Carter Jr.

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is about to make the leap to elite status… or so it says Wendell Carter Jr.who tells TMZ Sports There is no doubt that his teammate will compete for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award this season.

The 21-year-old former No. 1 overall pick improved in nearly every statistical category in his second outing… earning himself All-Star honors after averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists – and led his Magic to the playoffs.

Many expect the former Duke standout to build on that momentum in his third season – including Carter, Jr., who spoke highly of the young Hooper while at LAX this week.

‘He will be [an MVP candidate] Definitely,” he told us.

For what it’s worth, the betting odds for Banchero to get the Michael Jordan The trophies this season are +50,000… so if you trust WCJ’s prediction, there’s a lot of money to be made.

As for his team, Carter Jr. expects also that they’ll take things to the next level in the postseason… and he really believes they can build on taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to Game 7 in their first-round series last year.