Surprising Team Expressed Interest In Trading For Giannis Antetokounmpo at Deadline

At the past NBA trade deadline, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was once considered the biggest name on the market.

In the end, the Bucks didn't get an offer they felt good about and decided to keep Antetokounmpo, so trade talks might begin picking up this summer.

The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat were two teams linked to Antetokounmpo, and the Los Angeles Lakers are another that could make a run at him this summer.

However, another Eastern Conference team reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo: The Orlando Magic, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.

"The Magic expressed interest in trading for Milwaukee Bucks superstar GiannisAntetokounmpo before the trade deadline, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto wrote.

There is a connection there, too. John Hammond, the senior advisor in Orlando, was with the Bucks and was responsible for drafting Antetokounmpo in 2013.

Right now, the Magic have a 3-1 lead over the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons in a stunning turn of events, although Franz Wagner is now dealing with an injury in a tough blow for Orlando.

Can Orlando Make Another Run at Giannis?

Perhaps the biggest obstacle in a potential Antetokounmpo trade is the Magic's lack of assets.

In the summer of 2025, they trade Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Desmond Bane.

It seems highly unlikely that the Magic will even consider trading Paolo Banchero or Wagner, so it remains to be seen what a possible package for Antetokounmpo could look like, especially if several teams begin a bidding war with the Bucks this summer.

The Magic have a solid young core with Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. also on the roster, and Anthony Black has played well this season, but adding a superstar such as Antetokounmpo would do wonders for this team.

For now, trade talks are silent, but the chatter around Antetokounmpo should pick up after the NBA Finals come to an end.

Related: Magic Johnson Spotlights Jamal Cain After Magic Grab Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 11:41 AM.