Scotto’s Latest: Giannis, Magic, Mavs, Connelly, Bulls, Nori, More
The Magic expressed interest in Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of this year’s trade deadline, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, confirming remarks that Kirk Goldsberry made on The Bill Simmons podcast last month. Goldsberry stated during that podcast appearance that Orlando had been “very active” in pursuing Antetokounmpo.
While Scotto doesn’t specify just how serious the Magic’s interest was, he notes that Antetokounmpo was originally drafted in Milwaukee by then-GM John Hammond, who currently serves as a senior advisor in Orlando. Hammond and Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman have long prioritized length and size when considering roster moves, Scotto adds.
It remains to be seen whether the Magic will revisit a potential Antetokounmpo trade this summer — the team’s approach to the offseason figures to hinge in part on how their playoff run ends. For what it’s worth, Scotto hears from league sources that Antetokounmpo and new Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins are believed to have a good relationship.
Here are a few more highlights from Scotto’s latest round-up of NBA intel:
- Scotto is the latest to confirm there’s a strong belief in league circles that the Mavericks are eyeing Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly as a top candidate to run their front office. The Wolves have registered interest in locking up Connelly to a contract extension that keeps him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, Scotto reports.
- If the Bulls end up hiring Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd to run their front office, watch out for Wolves assistant Micah Nori to emerge as a strong candidate for Chicago’s head coaching job, Scotto advises. Lloyd is rumored to be a finalist and a frontrunner to become the Bulls’ new head of basketball operations.
- The Wizards intend to promote their G League head coach, Cody Toppert, to an assistant role on Brian Keefe‘s staff for the 2026/27 season, according to Scotto. Toppert has some prior experience as an NBA assistant coach in Phoenix under Igor Kokoskov.
- As the Lakers make front office changes under new team owner Mark Walter, they’re looking to add at least one assistant general manager and possibly another high-ranking executive, per Scotto. Those execs would presumably work under president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who is expected to remain in his current role.
- The Pacers intend to promote director of college scouting Mike Born to help fill the void in the front office created by the departure of senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Carr earlier this year, league sources tell Scotto.
Northwest Notes: Love, Nuggets, Blazers
Tim Bontemps of The New York Post ranks eight potential suitors in the Kevin Love sweepstakes, speculating that the Cavs and Suns have the best shot to pry the All-Star from the Wolves. Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Sources close to the Lakers tell Sam Smith of Bulls.com that they still believe Love wants to play in L.A., in spite of his rumored affection for other teams. Smith covers plenty of other Love topics in his latest mailbag column.
- Nuggets president Josh Kroenke tells Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post that he thinks Denver’s roster is already good enough to make the playoffs if healthy, and doesn’t feel an urgent need to overhaul the team after a disappointing 36-46 season. “I’ll be disappointed if we stay healthy and we’re not in the playoffs next year,” Kroenke said. “This roster, we’re always open for business and we’re always looking to improve our team, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just have continuity.”
- Kroenke also told Dempsey that the team has hopes of fully recovering from the departure of Carmelo Anthony in the next couple years. “That situation was so big at the time that it was going to have a ripple effect of probably four to five years,” Kroenke said. “Next year is going to be a very crucial year. It will be four years out, we’ll have had the guys for three years. And so it’s going to be a telling year. It’s a big year on a lot of levels for a lot of people.”
- The Blazers are not bringing back Mike Born as their Director of NBA scouting, sources tell Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com (Twitter link).
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.