The Milwaukee Bucks briefly listened when the New York Knicks called about Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer â but according to ESPNâs Shams Charania, talks never went anywhere, and the Bucks had no serious interest in moving their franchise cornerstone.
Giannis Explored His Options â and the Clock Starts Ticking
For the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo actively examined what life outside Milwaukee might look like. Charania reported that the two-time MVP and his camp initiated conversations about potential fits elsewhere, a subtle but meaningful shift for a player who has long projected loyalty to the Bucks.
âThis offseason marked the first time that Antetokounmpo truly initiated the pursuit of his best external options,â Charania wrote, âand he had discussions with the Bucks that ultimately led to conversations between the franchise and the Knicks.â
The exploratory dialogue came amid months of uncertainty about Antetokounmpoâs long-term future. In multiple interviews, he acknowledged he was re-evaluating his priorities, making clear that competing for championships remains his top goal.
Knicks Called, But Bucks Never Wavered
Charaniaâs report detailed that Antetokounmpoâs representation at Octagon, led by Alex Saratsis, had fielded interest from across the league since May.
âSeveral teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks,” Charania wrote.
The Bucks reluctantly âpicked up the Knicksâ call,â but they never engaged in serious discussions.
âThe Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,â Charania reported. âMilwaukee believes New York did not make a strong enough offer to even continue discussions.â
The Knicks, meanwhile, reportedly viewed the Bucks as unwilling to engage at all â underscoring the impasse.
However, Charania noted that it is unclear how the Bucks would have responded to an all-out chase by the Knicks.
Knicks Lacked Assets to Make a Deal Work
Getty Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks defends.
New Yorkâs ambitions to pair Antetokounmpo with its All-NBA core were already compromised by its aggressive moves last year. The Knicks sent out six first-round picks, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo to acquire Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving them with just one first-round pick and limited flexibility.
Without the draft capital or young talent to entice Milwaukee, the notion of a serious offer faded quickly.
Giannis Stays Focused on Cementing His Legacy
Despite the speculation, Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee â at least for now. He returned to training camp after recovering from COVID-19 and reaffirmed that his only focus is competing for another title, whether in Milwaukee or somewhere else.
âI want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,â Antetokounmpo said Sept. 29. âItâs a disservice to basketball, just to the game, to not want to compete at a high level.â
Milwaukeeâs front office echoed that sentiment, emphasizing their desire to stay in win-now mode.
Title-or-Bust Season Looms
The Bucks are entering a pivotal season after three straight first-round playoff exits. This summer, they added veteran center Myles Turner to bolster their frontcourt but parted ways with Damian Lillard, whose Achilles injury made his contract untenable.
Still, the stakes are rising. Antetokounmpoâs leverage peaks next summer, according to Charania, when he will have one guaranteed season left and eligibility for a four-year, $275 million extension, and he’d be able to sign the same deal with another team six months after a trade if he is moved.
If Milwaukee falters again, the pressure for both sides to reassess could reach a breaking point.
For now, the Bucksâ stance remains firm: Giannis isnât going anywhere. But the clock â and the speculation â are officially ticking in Milwaukee.
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