The Orlando Magic probably should not take a chance on getting Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Orlando Magic opened their offseason with the significant choice to fire coach Jamahl Mosley and hire San Antonio Spurs assistant, Sean Sweeney.
The hiring of Sweeney illustrates commitment by the Magic to take the next step in their desire to become contenders, and his hiring has given rise to other rumors.
Sweeney has spent time as an assistant with various organizations, one of which was the Milwaukee Bucks. During his time in Milwaukee, Sweeney had a hand in the development of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo has since become one of the league’s premiere stars, and his future with the Bucks seems shaky at best. Antetokounmpo has been the center of trade rumors for months, and his strong relationship forged with Sweeney from their time together in Milwaukee serves as a connection between Antetokounmpo and Orlando.
The question is, would it be the right move for the Magic to pursue Antetokounmpo? Recently, Andrew Cherico and I went on the Full Court Magic Podcast to discuss the topic.
"Is there some kind of vision of Giannis going to the Magic? And while there could be some background merit and some mutual interest, personally, Don, I don't think it happens," Cherico said. "To me, it'll be kind of, it's risky. It's a very risky move for the Magic. Giannis is entering his late prime now.
"He's already an NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP; proven all that he's needed to," Cherico added. "Of course, he wants to win more. But for Giannis, if they wanted to make a significant move like that, they would need to have trade either, in my opinion, Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner. I don't see a world where the Bucks don't get one of those players for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
And if you really break it down, what's one of the Magic's main issues? Shooting the ball, perimeter spacing. Giannis doesn't really help with that," Cherico continued. "They would need to get another championship level caliber player and surround Giannis, kind of change the foundation of the team and surround him around more shooters at this free agency. You're gonna kind of blow up the system if they do that. I just don't think Jeff Weltman and Sean Sweeney are that progressive enough to make that happen."
Antetokounmpo to the Magic would no doubt take a willingness from the Magic to make a significant departure with a key player after their draft capital was spent on acquiring Desmond Bane in June 2025.
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