The basketball world was set ablaze this morning when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo identified the New York Knicks as the only other team he would play for this Summer in conversations with Bucks brass.
Charania also reported that the two teams engaged in trade talks in August, but nothing ever came to fruition.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shed some more light on the situation, reporting on NBA Today that Antetokounmpo may not be in Milwaukee much longer.
“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,” said Windhorst.
Why the Knicks?
Antetokounmpo’s reported infatuation with the New York Knicks comes from the opportunity to chase a championship in New York, with the Knicks primed as an Eastern Conference contender with injuries to the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and the Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported the two-time league MVP’s interest in the Knicks in his column.
A source confirmed to SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley that the Knicks and Bucks had cursory talks about an Antetokounmpo deal in August. The talks did not reach an advanced level. Begley reports that winning a title in New York appeals to Antetokounmpo, and would be one reason why he sees them as a destination.
Per Begley, the Knicks — and many other teams — have monitored Antetokounmpo’s situation and will continue to do so.
Begley also specified what would be the best way for the 2021 Finals MVP to force his way to New York.
Antetokounmpo would need the Bucks to work with him on a trade destination in order to wind up in New York. Another route? The two-time MVP can make things uncomfortable by forcing his way out of Milwaukee. He could use his pending contract extension (he’s eligible in October 2026) to dissuade other teams from trading for him.”
A Potential East Coast Travel Perk
News continued to come out following Charania’s report this morning, such as Antetokounmpo permanently moving his family to Athens, Greece, according to the Greek news outlet Tovima.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor noted a specific detail about the East Coast that does not apply to Wisconsin.
“Worth noting: The only airport in the United States with daily, year-round direct flights to and from Athens, Greece is in Newark, New Jersey. All other US airports that fly direct to Athens are currently seasonal,” wrote O’Connor in a post on X.
Antetokounmpo may prefer to live on the East Coast throughout the NBA season, as it would be easier for his family to travel to Newark, New Jersey, to come see his games in Manhattan rather than having to hop on a connecting flight to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Regardless, no trade is imminent between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks. But as the 2025-26 NBA season rolls on, it will be interesting to watch how the relationship between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks progresses if the team struggles early.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post ESPN Insider Says Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Days With Bucks Are ‘Numbered’ and Have Been ‘For Quite Some Time’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.