The New York Knicks have surfaced as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot should he and the Milwaukee Bucks ever part ways, according to a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Knicks Were Giannis’ Top Choice Outside Milwaukee
Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee has been a talking point all offseason. Though he ultimately returned to start the season with the Bucks, Charania reported that the Knicks and Bucks quietly explored potential trade conversations during the summer.
“Ever since the NBA Draft Combine in mid-May, Alex Saratsis — an Octagon managing director and Antetokounmpo’s U.S.-based representative — has fielded rampant interest in Antetokounmpo and conducted serious due diligence on the best possible outside fits,” Charania wrote. “Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks.”
Charania noted that the Bucks and Knicks “engaged in conversations for a window of time in August,” though those discussions never gained real traction.
Conflicting Views on Failed Negotiations
According to Charania, the two organizations came away with contrasting interpretations of the brief talks.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,” he wrote. “But those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade. It’s unclear how the Bucks would have responded to an all-out chase by the Knicks.”
For their part, the Knicks reportedly felt the Bucks were never serious about entertaining an Antetokounmpo trade in the first place.
Giannis on Knicks’ New York State of Mind
Getty Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks defends.
Antetokounmpo has been on New York’s radar for several years. Charania added that “people in league circles, including some in New York, have believed since 2024 that Antetokounmpo would eventually want to come to the Knicks if he ever explored a trade.”
However, the Knicks’ ability to make a serious offer has diminished following their recent roster moves. After acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks parted with six first-round picks, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo.
They now hold just one first-round pick, three potential pick swaps, and eight second-round selections — along with a top-heavy payroll led by Jalen Brunson, Towns, OG Anunoby, and Bridges. A serious push for Antetokounmpo would likely require dismantling a large portion of that core.
Bucks Have Little Motivation to Rebuild
Milwaukee, meanwhile, has little incentive to pursue a full rebuild. The Bucks already traded away multiple future first-rounders in the Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard deals, limiting their chances to get high lottery picks.
If Antetokounmpo were traded to a contender like the Knicks, those future picks would likely be in the late first round — of limited value to a team seeking to stay competitive.
Giannis Keeping His Options Open
Despite returning to Milwaukee for the new season, Antetokounmpo has made clear that his focus remains on competing for championships.
“I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” he said on Sept. 29 during Bucks media day, where he appeared remotely after testing positive for COVID-19. “I think it’s a disservice to basketball, just to the game, to not want to compete at a high level, to want your season to end in April.”
Charania suggested that Antetokounmpo is expected to “keep his options open” depending on how the Bucks perform early in the season.
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