Surprise East Team Getting Traction on Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes Due to 2-Time MVP’s Ties With Coach

The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks are the teams most frequently mentioned when it comes to a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there is another team that could emerge as a serious contender. This team is younger and may be even more desperate to reach the next level.

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The Milwaukee Bucks star is reportedly open to joining a new team, and the organization’s ownership has confirmed that trading away the franchise cornerstone who has led the team for the past 13 years is not off the table. The Heat are reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with the Bucks.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have recently cooled their interest as they focus on their NBA Finals run. They currently hold a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs and will play Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

The Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers have also been linked to the Greek Freak. However, another team may have an advantage over the rest of the field.

Sam Amick and Bucks reporter Eric Nehm revealed in an article for The Athletic that the Orlando Magic are also in the running for Antetokounmpo’s services. According to the report, the Magic first inquired about the 2021 Finals MVP before the February trade deadline, and their interest may be revived following another first-round playoff exit.

The Magic’s biggest advantage is that they have an attractive trade asset to offer.

“The Magic, who could offer a young franchise centerpiece in 23-year-old Paolo Banchero, were among the teams that inquired about Antetokounmpo before the February trade deadline,” the article states.

“And now, with this current group having fallen well short of expectations by falling to Detroit in the first round, they employ a coach whose direct ties to Antetokounmpo have become a topic of discussion around the league since his hiring.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo connection to the Magic

The coach referenced in the report is Sean Sweeney, who is currently serving as an assistant under Mitch Johnson during the NBA Finals.

Sweeney was hired by the Magic on June 1 to replace Jamahl Mosley, who was dismissed shortly after the team’s first-round playoff exit. Sweeney and Antetokounmpo go way back. He served as a Bucks assistant coach from 2014 to 2018, when the Greek superstar was still developing into one of the league’s elite players.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) passes the ball under pressure from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Sweeney was heavily involved in the team’s defensive schemes, an area in which Antetokounmpo thrived. The Greek superstar eventually won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2020.

Antetokounmpo has nothing but praises when asked about Sweeney in 2018.

“The killer mentality — he definitely helped me with that,” Antetokounmpo said.

“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 as a person off the court.”

The Magic have the assets. Giannis reportedly wants to stay in the East. The trade might not be farfetched.

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