As speculation over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future dominated NBA headlines, New York Knicks coach Mike Brown was quick to steer the conversation back to the present.
“I don’t get into that stuff,” Brown told reporters following Tuesday’s practice — the team’s first since returning from a 2-0 preseason trip to Abu Dhabi. “We’re in a great spot right now. Our guys have been playing their tails off. They’re starting to pick up what we’re doing defensively, and offensively we’re getting a little more comfortable — especially trying to play fast. That’s what I’m concentrating on now. I love our guys, and I think they’re starting to enjoy playing the way we’re trying to play on both ends.”
Brown’s comments came just hours after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks had emerged as Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot outside of Milwaukee — should the two-time MVP ever push for a trade.
Knicks Were Giannis’ Top Choice Outside Milwaukee
Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee has been a talking point throughout the offseason. Though he ultimately reported to training camp with the Bucks, Charania revealed that the Knicks and Bucks quietly explored potential trade scenarios 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.”
According to Charania, the Bucks and Knicks “engaged in conversations for a window of time in August,” though those talks never progressed.
Conflicting Views on the Failed Negotiations
The two sides came away with differing interpretations of the brief exchange.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,” Charania reported. “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.”
New York, meanwhile, reportedly felt that Milwaukee never intended to truly entertain an Antetokounmpo trade in the first place.
The Knicks’ trade position has weakened following an active summer. After acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the team parted with six first-round picks along with Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo.
That spending spree leaves them with just one first-round pick, three potential pick swaps, and eight second-rounders. Their top-heavy payroll — featuring Jalen Brunson, Towns, OG Anunoby, Bridges and Josh Hart. — would likely require significant dismantling to construct a viable offer for Antetokounmpo.
Giannis Keeps His Options Open
Despite recommitting to Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has not shied away from expressing his expectations.
“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, just to the game, to not want to compete at a high level — to want your season to end in April.”
According to Charania, Antetokounmpo is expected to keep his options open depending on how the Bucks perform this season.
Brown Keeps the Focus on the Present
While the front office chatter around Antetokounmpo continues to swirl, Brown’s message has remained consistent: the Knicks’ focus must stay on their locker room, not the rumor mill.
It was a fitting reminder that while the headlines may center on who might join the Knicks one day, Brown’s vision — and his players’ effort — remain firmly grounded in the present under the immense pressure of a championship expectation.
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