It’s been back to back years that the Magic have made a short stop in the NBA playoffs.
With another year of experience for the core of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wager, pundits expected Orlando to go up another level.
Instead, a flurry of injuries and inconsistent play led the Magic to another first-round exit in five games.
Orlando is a tier below the top teams in the Eastern Conference and has seemed to plateau there. They’ll need to acquire more star power to be a legitimate contender for the NBA title next year.
Magic trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Michael Pina of The Ringer first suggested this potential trade that could shift the Magic for years to come.
Magic receive:
Bucks receive:
- Franz Wagner
- Jonathan Isaac
- Jett Howard
- 2025 1st round pick
- 2027 1st round pick
- 2029 1st round pick
- 2031 1st round pick
- 2028 pick swap
- 2030 pick swap
What a haul that would be for the ‘Greek Freak.’ Orlando would be mortgaging their entire future to pair Giannis with budding superstar Paolo Banchero. The Magic would roll out Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Antetokounmpo, Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. as a formidable starting five.
The Bucks would replenish their collection of draft picks and gain a 20 point per game scorer in Wagner to build around. Jonathan Isaac could be a rebuilding project and Jett Howard is a young player with potential.
Even with Giannis, Orlando isn’t guaranteed to be a great team into the 2030’s. If Milwaukee ships off Giannis now, they could have some quality assets now and into the future.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
YOU ARE AN ORLANDO MAGIC https://t.co/ArKwaQ4LJk— Poké D. Bag 🇻🇪 (@pokebag) May 13, 2025
Antetokounmpo has said he’s open to exploring joining other teams for the first time.
Is Disney World his next destination? Only time will tell.
MORE: Pacers predicted to land $228 million superstar in blockbuster trade involving Pascal Siakam
