Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade: Superstar Rumored to Desire Only One Landing Spot If He Hands Official Request to Leave

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks - Source: Imagn
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade: Superstar Rumored to Desire Only One Landing Spot If He Hands Official Request to Leave. [photo: Imagn]

Trade talks involving Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the New York Knicks continue to stir social media. Early this month, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Bucks gave the Knicks “an exclusive negotiating window” in August. On Friday, Charania tweeted that the Bucks and Antetokounmpo discussed their future together.

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Jake Fischer, another NBA insider, reported on Sunday via Substack that the two-time MVP has set his sights on one destination. Fischer wrote that should the Bucks make Antetokounmpo available, the All-Star would prefer the Knicks over any team.

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The Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round exit in the 2025 playoffs, their third straight, started trade talks around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Charania reported before the preseason started in October that Bucks GM Jon Horst travelled to Greece to have “a candid meeting” with Antetokounmpo.

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According to the ESPN senior reporter, the nine-time All-Star wanted assurance that the Bucks could contend for the championship. Charania added that Antetokounmpo “wanted to explore” a different path for him and the team if success remained elusive.

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The Bucks don't look like championship contenders with or without Giannis Antetokounmpo this season. Milwaukee owned a 9-13 record before the superstar forward suffered a calf injury on Wednesday.

Despite the rumors about Antetokounmpo going to the Big Apple, the Knicks have limited draft capital to pry him away from Milwaukee. New York gave up four first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031) and an unprotected 2028 first-round pick swap for Mikal Bridges in July 2024.

If Giannis Antetokounmpo is determined to go to New York, the Bucks and the Knicks could be looking at a multi-team trade.

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Multiple teams can outbid Knicks for Giannis Antetokounmpo

After the Bridges trade, the Knicks’ first-round draft capital is almost empty. They have a top-8 protected 2026 first-rounder via the Wizards, which will become two second-round picks if not conveyed. The Knicks also own first-round picks in 2030 and 2032.

Aggregating contracts to match salaries is also not an option for the Knicks, according to a Bleacher Report on Friday. Because New York is just under the second apron, it has limited flexibility to trade.

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ESPN’s NBA insiders reported on Friday some of the teams that can outbid the Knicks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors can package players and first-round draft capital for the two-time MVP.

According to them, the Hawks could emerge as winners. “Young, Risacher and four first-rounders would be too much to pass up.”

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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