NBA Rumors: Magic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mavericks, Bulls

The Magic showed interest in Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the NBA trade deadline, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, backing up what The Ringer’s Kirk Goldsberry said recently.

How serious was it? That part’s a little murky. But it tracks.

John Hammond is in Orlando’s front office and, of course, he’s the one who drafted Giannis in Milwaukee. Pair that with Jeff Weltman and the Magic’s long-standing love of size and length, and you can see the vision.

Whether they revisit it this summer likely depends on how far this current group goes.

For what it’s worth, there’s also a belief around the league that Antetokounmpo and new Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins are in a good place, Scotto reported. So this isn’t necessarily headed anywhere soon.

Mavs watching Connelly

Front office movement will be coming to Dallas at some point.

Per Scotto, there’s a growing belief that the Mavericks have their eye on Tim Connelly as a potential lead decision-maker.

Connelly has done strong work with the Timberwolves, and Minnesota, as you’d expect, would like to keep him. Scotto reports the Wolves have interest in locking him up long-term.

So this could potentially turn into a tug-of-war. The same thing happened a few years back, when Connelly left the Nuggets for the Timberwolves.

Bulls, Wolves connections

Meanwhile, if the Bulls end up hiring Wolves front-office man Matt Lloyd to run basketball operations, there may be a ripple effect.

Scotto notes that Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori could emerge as a strong head coaching candidate in Chicago if that happens.

That’s the league for you. One move leads to another, and suddenly you’ve got a full reshuffling.

Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey is also among those who have interviewed for Chicago’s top front office spot.