The Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season Tuesday. But in the aftermath of their first-round series victory, most around the league are talking about the team the Pacers beat — the Milwaukee Bucks.
The specific discussion centers around Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether the nine-time All-Star could be traded this offseason.
Advertisement
On Monday, SI on Hawks’ Rohan Raman proposed the Bucks, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks orchestrate a three-team trade that results in Antetokounmpo landing with the Magic.
In the three-team trad pitch, the Magic received Antetokounmpo along with Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin.
The Magic would then give up four players in the trade — Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony and Goga Bitadze — and three first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029).
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
In Raman’s proposed trade, all of those assets went to Milwaukee except Bitadze, who headed to the Hawks.
“The Magic are currently the worst offense in the playoffs by PPG and they were the 28th-ranked team in the same category during the regular season,” Raman wrote. “There isn’t much to say about how badly they need an injection of offensive talent and Giannis is exactly that.
Advertisement
“The fit with Paolo Banchero might take some figuring out, but they would be able to run a jumbo-size duo at the wing position rife with passing and midrange scoring.”
Raman admitted the move would come with risk for Orlando. The team simply might not want to part with small forward Franz Wagner, who averaged a career-high 24.2 points during the 2024-25 season, either.
But there’s little doubt that if the Magic acquired Antetokounmpo, they’d immediately become a leading contender in the Eastern Conference.
Related: Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Pairs Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama