Despite staying with the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo is being linked to multiple NBA teams. The latest report on his future with the Bucks has revealed the stance of defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder on a potential trade.
According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, teams like the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic are interested in “The Greek Freak.” Mannix also mentioned the Thunder having the right mix of picks and assets to acquire Antetokounmpo, but they are reportedly not interested.
“There are teams very closely monitoring the situation. Houston, even after the Kevin Durant deal, has the kind of capital to make an offer. San Antonio, too. New York, Detroit and Orlando could also get in the mix. And while I’ve been explicitly told that Oklahoma City has no interest … I mean the Thunder could make it really interesting,” Mannix wrote.
Antetokounmpo will have the final say if he wants out of Milwaukee or to stay and try to win with them in a wide-open Eastern Conference this season. He has one year remaining on his contract after this season and could opt out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent for the summer of 2027.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly saving money for that offseason, as per Sam Amick of The Athletic. Potentially joining Antetokounmpo in the 2027 free agency class is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Knicks Discussed Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade in August
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on October 7 that the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks were engaged in a discussion about Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Knicks were interested in acquiring “The Greek Freak” but nothing came to fruition two months ago.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo, but those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade, league sources said. It’s unclear how the Bucks would have responded to an all-out chase by the Knicks,” Charania wrote.
Antetokounmpo’s goal is to win another championship; whether it’s in Milwaukee or not is another discussion. He’s been loyal to the Bucks franchise, but adding a second title to his resume seems to be more important.
The Bucks did their job this offseason, waiving Damian Lillard to create some cap space. They signed Myles Turner in free agency and brought back Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. They did lose Pat Connaughton via trade and Brook Lopez in free agency.
Giannis Mid-Season Trade Possible
Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, Shams Charania reported that Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis are already trying to look into teams capable of acquiring the two-time WNBA MVP.
Charania added that after the first 25 games of the regular season, the situation is worth monitoring, especially with how the Bucks are going to perform. The New York Knicks won’t be the only team Giannis is interested in, so this could end up being a sweepstakes season for one of the best players in the world.
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