Report: Magic Coaching Hire Sparks Giannis Talk; Nuggets May Shop Braun, Johnson, Sixers Front Office Shifts
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The Orlando Magic’s decision to appoint Sean Sweeney as head coach has intensified league chatter that the franchise could pursue Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Antetokounmpo, 31, worked closely with Sweeney during the assistant coach’s four-season stint in Milwaukee, and the two-time MVP is known to hold the coach in high regard. Sweeney is not the forward’s only link to Orlando; senior advisor John Hammond—who selected Antetokounmpo 15th overall in the 2015 draft—remains influential inside the organization, with president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman regularly seeking Hammond’s counsel, Stein reports.
League sources told Stein that the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers have already opened trade discussions for Antetokounmpo, with Miami viewed as the leading contender. The forward’s future could be settled within weeks after Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam established a soft deadline of the NBA Draft for a resolution, Stein adds.
Nuggets expected to listen on Braun, Johnson
Rival executives anticipate the Denver Nuggets will make Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson available in summer trade talks, Stein writes. Denver intends to prioritize the re-signing of restricted free agent Peyton Watson, but retaining the current roster would push the club well beyond the second tax apron. Johnson’s expiring $23.1 million contract is viewed as more palatable than Braun’s five-year, $125 million extension that begins next season.
One factor in last year’s long-term agreement with Braun, sources told Stein, is the guard’s standing as one of Nikola Jokić’s preferred teammates. Jokić has finished first or second in MVP voting in each of the past six seasons.
Front-office stability in Philadelphia
Prosper Karangwa is expected to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers as vice president of player personnel following the hiring of Mike Gansey to head basketball operations, per Stein. Assistant general manager Jameer Nelson is still on track for promotion to GM, while current GM Elton Brand is likely to shift into a new role within the organization.
Source: Hoops Rumors
