Magic Exec Addresses Giannis Trade Rumors, Links to Bucks Star After Sean Sweeney Hire as HC

Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman is flattered there has been speculation about the team potentially being a sleeper destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Speaking to reporters during new head coach Sean Sweeney's introductory press conference on Friday, Weltman was asked about the recent rumors linking the Magic to Antetokounmpo:

"I just think that, to me," Weltman said, "I take it as a compliment that we have a lot of players that the league is interested in and that we could even be thrown into that conversation speaks to the talent on this roster. So, that's my big takeaway from that."

Amid recent buzz that the Miami Heat have set a limit on how much they will offer the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo, the Magic have popped up as a team that could potentially get involved in trade talks for the two-time NBA MVP.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne said on the May 29 episode of The Rich Eisen Show that Orlando is a team that might have interest in Antetokounmpo (starts at 1:15 mark).

There would seem to be a path for the Magic to get Antetokounmpo if they want to make a push. They could build around Paolo Banchero, who is only 23 and a better player than anyone Miami could offer assuming Bam Adebayo is off the table.

As a result of the Desmond Bane trade last year, the Magic don't control their first-round draft pick until 2031. ESPN's Bobby Marks noted they can only trade their first-round pick in either 2032 or '33 at this point.

The lack of draft capital does hurt Orlando's chances, but other young players like Anthony Black or Jalen Suggs could help fill out a deal at a time when it doesn't seem as if teams are willing to move the earth for Antetokounmpo.

Another factor that could boost the Magic's chances is Sweeney. The 42-year-old previously worked as an assistant coach for the Bucks from 2014 to '18 and has been described by Antetokounmpo as "one of my best friends."

Given that the Magic went all-in last year with the Bane trade and didn't take the step forward during the 2025-26 season they were hoping to, finding a way to shake things up might not be the worst thing for the organization.

Adding Antetokounmpo would definitely fall into the shaking things up category for a Magic team that hasn't won a playoff series since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010.