The Milwaukee Bucks already know the kind of package the Heat are willing to give up for Giannis Antetokounmpo. As Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported on Friday, the team is waiting to see (subscription required) how much other potential suitors, including the Magic, will offer.
If Orlando were willing to part with former No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, you have to think that's the kind of offer that Milwaukee would jump on, crushing Miami's hopes in the process. Tyler Herro, Jaime Jacquez, and Kel'el Ware don't compare to what the Bucks would have if they landed Banchero as the centerpiece of a deal.
The Magic forward averaged 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 72 games this past season, shooting 45.9% from the field and 30.5% from three. Banchero's shooting struggles persisted, though in the playoffs, he averaged 26.3 points per game, including 45 points on 17-of-31 shooting in Game 5 against Detroit and 38 points on 14-of-25 shooting in Game 7.
It was a good note for Banchero to end the season on, and that could be enough for Orlando not to make him available in an Antetokounmpo trade, though Milwaukee hopes otherwise.
Paolo Banchero would beat Heat's best offer
Banchero is just 23 years old, so he's the kind of young blue-chip prospect that the Bucks are looking for if they part with their 31-year-old superstar. He'd give Milwaukee a clearer vision for the team's post-Giannis future than a package built around Herro. Miami knows that.
No matter which team trades for Antetokounmpo, it will be a gamble because of his recent injury history and age. The Heat would gut their depth for him, and in the case of the Magic, they'd lose their young star. Orlando will have to decide whether that would be worth it and, more importantly, whether it could actually win a championship with Giannis.
If not, the Magic could be haunted by Banchero's play on the Bucks for years, and that's an outcome Milwaukee would like.
The Bucks aren't specifically waiting to see if the Magic will make an offer centered around Banchero, but it's a scenario they'd like to see play out between now and the draft.
Until something like that happens, it seems like the Heat will remain in the lead for Antetokounmpo, but as the NBA world saw in Game 4 of the finals, no lead is ever safe.
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