Orlando could still call the Milwaukee Bucks about Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, but don't count on it. The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick reported that the Magic have "had no talks" concerning a renewed pursuit of the Greek Freak in the offseason (subscription required). That comes after they were among his suitors at the February trade deadline.
If the Magic are out, that means that perhaps the most intriguing player the Bucks could get back in a Giannis deal, forward Paolo Banchero, is also off the table.
Banchero likely single best young player available to BucksÂ
To be clear, Nehm and Amick still consider Orlando a potential player in any sweepstakes. The same argument can be made for many teams not named in recent rumors. The more concrete observation is that, right now, the Magic seemingly don't plan to be involved.Â
That would pull the rug out from underneath any Banchero-to-the-Bucks scenario. The 23-year-old star is almost surely the foundation of any return Milwaukee would demand from Orlando. Although Banchero has his flaws, most notably his inefficient 3-point shooting, he is a more dynamic centerpiece than any other young player the Bucks could get.
Crucially, Banchero is a shot creator they could build the offense around. The same can't be said for Cleveland's Evan Mobley or Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels. Last season, Banchero averaged 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game with a usage rate of 27.9 percent.Â
Mobley and McDaniels are outstanding two-way players, but they aren't offensive hubs. Banchero is the type of player the Bucks would love to get back if they must part ways with Giannis, the current center of their solar system.Â
Banchero has also become a sound defender, using his strength to take on bigger players and his quickness to handle switches and guard opposing wings. Banchero offers more on that end of the floor than Houston's Alperen Sengun or Karl-Anthony Towns, the potential centerpiece of a Knicks deal.
Magic have made no indication they're ready to bail on BancheroÂ
Orlando has invested heavily in Banchero, handing him a five-year, $239 million extension last July. The former No. 1 pick is the face of the franchise.
He gets up for big moments. While Banchero played his part in Orlando's Game 6 collapse against the Pistons, the series loss hardly falls on his shoulders. In Game 7, he poured in 38 points on 14-for-25 from the floor. In Game 5, he had 45 points and went 6-for-11 from three.Â
Banchero has averaged 27.4/8.7/4.9 in 19 career playoff games. In the postseason, he has shot 38.5 percent from deep. He could be more consistent, but he undeniably steps it up on the big stage.Â
That big-game instinct hasn't helped Orlando escape three consecutive first-round exits. Still, if this iteration of the team gets over the hump, Banchero will be why. The glass-half-full spin on blowing a 3-1 lead versus 1-seed Detroit is that the Magic had a 3-1 lead to begin with.
Ownership has already said the roster doesn't need wholesale changes. Firing head coach Jamahl Mosley may have been their "big move."
The Bucks would love for a Giannis extension to be their own big move for next season. If that's not in the cards, getting Banchero, whose physical downhill game is similar to Antetokounmpo's, might be the next best thing. Right now, though, Nehm and Amick's reporting suggests that Milwaukee will have to settle for other offers.Â
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