NBA Rumors: The surprising team that has entered the race for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Orlando Magic explored the possibility of making a major impact trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, according to a report by Michael Scotto for HoopsHype. This move reflects the franchise's ambitious approach to building its roster amidst its playoff push.

According to the published information, Orlando showed interest in acquiring the star from the Milwaukee Bucks months after the start of the season, demonstrating their willingness to continue strengthening even after completing a high-profile trade to add Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Although specific details about the extent of the discussions between the two franchises have not been disclosed, this interest underscores the Magic's intention to accelerate their growth around a young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

The potential move aligns with Orlando's management style, led by President Jeff Weltman and senior advisor John Hammond. Both executives previously collaborated in Milwaukee, where they selected Antetokounmpo in the 2013 draft, historically favoring building teams with size, versatility, and physical ability.

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Challenges in completing the deal

Despite the appeal of the trade, Orlando faced constraints in putting together a viable offer. After the trade for Bane, the franchise had few assets in the form of draft picks but did have young players who could have been attractive to Milwaukee under hypothetical circumstances.

This report adds to previous comments from former Bucks player Charlie Villanueva, who in early April suggested that Antetokounmpo could end up in Orlando in a trade involving Banchero. While speculative, this contributed to fueling rumors linking both franchises.

For Milwaukee, the decision to keep their star came amidst significant interest in the player across the league. Since then, the team has made internal changes, such as hiring Taylor Jenkins as head coach following Doc Rivers' departure, and continues to evaluate its path after a disappointing season.

Meanwhile, the Magic remain focused on their playoff journey. The team leads their series against the Detroit Pistons 3-1 and will look to close it out in the fifth game, scheduled for Wednesday night. A victory would mark the franchise's first series win since 2010 and make Orlando the seventh team in history to advance as an eighth seed.

Amidst the push to advance in the postseason, the interest in Antetokounmpo highlights Orlando's willingness to explore transformative moves while keeping an eye on the development of its promising young core.