The Milwaukee Bucks never wavered when the New York Knicks came calling for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Knicks pushed quietly for a blockbuster deal this past summer, the Bucks’ front office stood firm, sending a clear message: their two-time MVP isn’t going anywhere — at least not yet.
Bucks Decline Knicks’ Overture
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks and Bucks engaged in preliminary conversations after Antetokounmpo identified New York as his preferred destination outside of Milwaukee. But the discussions never developed into anything serious.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,” Charania reported. “Those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade.”
The talks, described as an “exclusive negotiating window,” took place in August but fizzled out without traction. The Bucks made it clear they were not open to dealing their franchise cornerstone, especially after a turbulent year that saw the team reshuffle its roster and coaching staff in hopes of reigniting its championship window.
By October, Charania confirmed the Knicks’ exclusive shot at Giannis had closed.
“We’re not in August anymore — we’re now in October,” Charania said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “If things reopen during the season with this whole Giannis Antetokounmpo element, that window is no longer exclusive to the Knicks. Other NBA teams will enter the picture. I expect it to go beyond just New York.”
Milwaukee’s Position of Strength
From Milwaukee’s standpoint, the message was simple: they still hold all the cards. Antetokounmpo remains under contract through 2026 with a player option for 2027, giving the Bucks another season of control before facing any real deadline next summer.
Antetokounmpo has maintained that his focus remains on competing for another title and whether that is still in Milwaukee will take shape this season.
“I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” he said during Bucks media day on Sept. 29, appearing remotely after testing positive for COVID-19. “It’s a disservice to basketball to not want to compete at a high level.”
Milwaukee’s front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster around him. After parting ways with Damian Lillard, who was waived and stretched due to an Achilles injury, the Bucks signed Myles Turner to solidify their frontcourt. They also explored adding more perimeter defense and shooting, believing they’ve built a team that can compete in the East despite recent playoff disappointments.
Giannis Keeps His Focus on Legacy
For Antetokounmpo, the motivation is simple: legacy. The 30-year-old has already won two MVPs, a Finals MVP, and delivered the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years. Yet his hunger remains the same.
“At this point, I’ve accomplished everything I’ve put my mind to,” he said last week. “But I want more. Legacy is what’s important for me — being remembered as one of the all-time greats. You have to play to win. I don’t play to just be around or get paid.”
Antetokounmpo’s competitive mindset has long aligned with the franchise’s ambition, and his comments suggest that while he remains open to evaluating the Bucks’ direction, he’s not looking for a way out just yet.
The Calm Before the Storm?
While the Knicks’ attempt to lure Antetokounmpo dominated headlines, Milwaukee’s refusal to entertain serious talks reaffirmed the franchise’s confidence in its long-term vision.
The Bucks’ front office believes that with Antetokounmpo, they could still contend for a championship. However, Antetokounmpo aired his concern over their roster in a July meeting with general manager John Horst, according to Charania.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst echoed Charania’s report.
“There has been an expectation for quite some time that Giannis’ days in Milwaukee, one way or another, are numbered. Whether that was going to happen this year, whether it’s going to happen potentially during this season, or whether it could happen next summer,” Windhorst said on NBA Today.
For now, the Bucks’ message to the rest of the league is clear: Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t available — and they plan to give him every reason to stay that way until they can’t.
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