As the NBA offseason progresses into the summer, speculation and rumors naturally swirl regarding moves that organizations might make to improve. The Orlando Magic are not immune to this, and they have been tied to a big fish.

After the Magic decided to hire Sean Sweeney to be the next head coach of the franchise in May, rumors connecting Giannis Antetokounmpo to the franchise began to gain traction due to the latter’s relationship with Sweeney dating back to their time together in Milwaukee when Sweeney was an assistant with the Bucks.

In 2018, Antetokounmpo had strong praise for Sweeney; calling him "one of my best friends" and saying "The killer mentality, he definitely helped me with that. It definitely comes from me and my family and the way I grew up, but having Coach Sweeney for those years, he really helped me as a player and a person off the court."

Additionally, Antetokounmpo has been quoted saying that Florida cities have made him the happiest. In conjunction with his relationship to Sweeney, smoke began billowing around speculation of Antetokounmpo in a Magic uniform.

Recently, Kurt Helin of NBC Sports provided additional context concerning the hypothetical scenario of Antetokounmpo ending up with the Magic, and it has to do with how Sweeney can coach Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

"Orlando is interesting," Helin wrote. "A team on the rise in the East, but with questions about whether they have a true No. 1 shot creator and bucket getter who can get them a ring. The Magic are expected to let new coach Sean Sweeney try to figure out the Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner puzzle rather than blow it up for Antetokounmpo or anyone else, league sources told NBC Sports. However, if they decide to get in the mix, they can put together an impressive offer.”

Naturally, Sweeney will have to adapt to his role with the Magic and foster a successful relationship with their two best players, especially as a first-time head coach. But Helin’s reporting and sources make it seem that if Sweeney cannot figure out a way to elevate the tandem of Banchero and Wagner, one of them could be moved for Antetokounmpo.

A move of that magnitude, especially at the cost of Banchero or Wagner, feels contradictory to the way President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman operates. Would Weltman, who is not an aggressive, risk-taking executive by nature, really move off either of his home-grown, All-Star caliber players for an aging and expensive future Hall-of-Fame talent? It does not feel likely.

Nevertheless, the speculation is there, and it is hard to say what the Magic would be willing to do if they feel that their ability to contend needs to be bolstered, especially if they produce another season that falls below expectations. While acquiring Antetokounmpo, who will be 32 years old in December, may increase the chance of success, it is certain that the window to contend shrinks.

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