The New York Knicks came closer than previously understood to landing Giannis Antetokounmpo during an exclusive late-offseason negotiating window, according to new reporting that details the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s belief that a move to New York was nearly finalized.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported this week that Antetokounmpo believed he was headed to New York last summer.
“Multiple sources have insisted this week that Antetokoumpo, during the summer, told at least one Bucks teammate that he believed a trade to the Knicks was quite close to materializing,” Fischer wrote on The Stein Line. “Obviously, no such trade did, but the Knicks continue to be cited as a team that must be mentioned in any credible discussion about the Antetokounmpo landscape.”
The latest report marks the strongest indication yet that Antetokounmpo viewed New York not only as a hypothetical fit but as a realistic destination, even if the deal ultimately collapsed.
What Happened During Knicks-Bucks Exclusive Negotiation Window
Fischer’s revelations build upon ESPN’s Shams Charania’s October reporting, which first disclosed that the Knicks emerged as Antetokounmpo’s lone preferred market outside Milwaukee during late-offseason discussions.
In Charania’s report, the Bucks and Knicks engaged in multiple weeks of conversation — what one source described as an exclusive negotiating window — though no proposal gained traction.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,” Charania wrote in October, “but those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade.”
New York, according to Charania’s reporting, believed the opposite — that Milwaukee was never serious about engaging in a deal for their franchise cornerstone.
The quiet stalemate left both teams where they started: no trade, no agreement, and speculation smoldering below the surface — until this week’s reporting reignited the conversation.
Knicks Protected Core Pieces, Hesitant to Gut Depth
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks defends in the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2024, in New York City.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, New York’s position was shaped by concerns about sacrificing too much roster depth for a megastar chase.
“Team sources have made it clear that Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was… untouchable,” Amick reported back in October.
Other names, including Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, were possibly discussed during the exploratory conversations, Amick speculated. The Knicks never crossed the threshold into a full all-in offer.
That organizational stance has not shifted, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, who reported Wednesday.
“From the Knicks’ perspective, they like their team right now,” Begley said. “They are excited about what they’ve seen so far.”
Begley added that the Knicks “made a real offer” during the offseason window — but it was never accepted.
Speculation Returns as Giannis Begins Internal Conversations With Bucks
Fischer’s stunning revelation lands at a time when Antetokounmpo and agent Alex Saratsis have opened internal discussions with the Bucks, as first reported by Charania on Wednesday, regarding the organization’s direction amid a slow 9–13 start.
“A resolution is expected in the coming weeks,” Charania wrote on X.
Hours later, Antetokounmpo suffered a calf strain expected to sideline him 2–4 weeks, adding another layer of uncertainty just as speculation regained momentum.
Before the injury, Bucks coach Doc Rivers attempted to tamp down the conversation.
“Giannis has never asked to be traded. Ever. I can’t make that more clear,” Rivers said.
“The reason this is out is because we’re not playing well… It’s no more true than it was this summer.”
The Conversation Stopped — But Never Really Ended
Fischer’s reporting suggests the Knicks were not merely a rumored suitor — they were, for a moment, the destination Antetokounmpo expected.
That expectation passed — but the market didn’t forget it.
And with discussions beginning again in Milwaukee, and the superstar sidelined, the question returns louder than before:
If the window ever opens again, will New York still be standing in it?
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