Giannis Antetokounmpo Staying Put Opens Paolo Banchero Trade Opportunities

With The NBA trade deadline passed Thursday without a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo materializing, the Milwaukee BucksThe decision to keep their franchise cornerstone could shift the league’s trade landscape heading into the offseason — and potentially open the door to big changes for Orlando Magic.

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, NBA analyst Zach Lowe revisited the idea of ​​Orlando as a team positioned to feel the ripple effects of Antetokounmpo staying in Milwaukee, while also reviving the trading concept he had previously put forward involving Paolo Banchero.

“Can we go back to Orlando. They’re 25 and 24 and some of their losses have been recent, like the level of funk that’s floating around there, the team is at DEFCON right now. Two levels of funk right now and they’re obviously waiting for Franz to come back and crossing their fingers that Franz, who I think is their best player, ties it all together.”

Lowe suggested Orlando’s direction could be far from settled if the current season doesn’t turn around.

“I think their roster is going to look, that’s where the team could look very different next year, the coach, the roster, everything if they don’t turn this around. I’m trying to think what are the teams that feel like they lost because the Giannis thing was shelved for the summer and what are the teams that won because the Giannis thing was shelved for the summer. And I want you to include Orlando and I want you to include Orlando and you know to include Orlando. Giannis stuff is one of my favorite fakes craft, but Magic doesn’t have a ton of stuff anymore, and Paolo has blossomed.”

Paolo Banchero remains the focal point as Giannis Antetokounmpo talks trade for the Magic

The state of the Magic’s assets has changed dramatically over the past year. Orlando surrendered four first-round picks in a blockbuster deal to acquire Desmond Baina move that strengthened the roster but limited future flexibility. Love noted that if Antetokounmpo had been formally available at the deadline, those funds could have been deployed differently.

For now, Banchero remains a focal point in Orlando. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 21.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range in 40 games, logging 34.3 minutes per game. He helped guide it Magic to a 118-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, improving the team to 26-24 and seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

Banchero is also financially tied to Orlando for the long term. He is making about $41.5 million this season after signing a five-year, $239 million max rookie extension that could rise to $287 million if he earns All-NBA honors. The deal includes a player option for the 2030-31 season, making it one of the league’s most significant long-term commitments.

Giannis is staying with the Bucks, setting the stage for potential summer talks

Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, remained in Milwaukee despite heightened speculation linking him to teams like the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves before the deadline. The 31-year-old two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting career highs of 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range in 30 games, playing 29.2 minutes per contest. Despite his production, the Bucks sit at 20-29, 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season as part of a three-year, $175.3 million contract that includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. His contract structure and age make any potential offseason move complex, but not improbable.

Love acknowledged that a lineup that includes Banchero and Antetokounmpo is not new, having previously floated the idea earlier in the season. With Milwaukee choosing to hold off on any franchise-changing decisions until the summer, Orlando could be among the teams most affected by that timeline.

It remains to be seen whether the Magic will ultimately turn to a dramatic roster overhaul, but as Lowe noted, Antetokounmpo’s name is unlikely to disappear from offseason trade talks — and Orlando’s trajectory could be closely tied to how those discussions unfold.