If the latest rumors are true, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next team after the Milwaukee Bucks is the New York Knicks. On Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Knicks are the only team outside of the Bucks that Antetokounmpo would consider playing for:
“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 best possible outside fits should the star and his reps push to be traded from the Bucks,” 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, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN.”
A trade didn’t materialize this past summer, but that doesn’t mean that it never will.
Why didn’t Knicks trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Charania noted that the Bucks did, in fact, pick up New York’s phone when they called to discuss a trade for Antetokounmpo, and the two teams had discussions about a deal.
Unfortunately, not only did the Bucks make it clear that they did not want to move Antetokounmpo, but Charania also stated that the Knicks reportedly didn’t make a strong enough offer to effectively compel them.
It’s easy to understand why Antetokounmpo would want to join the Knicks—they play in the largest market in the NBA. Playing in New York would be a dream for many players around the league.
On top of that, the Knicks are built to compete for a championship right now, which fits perfectly with the goals Antetokounmpo has stated for himself every season of his career.
Even if they did have to trade two of Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart (or just one of them, depending on how the money worked out), they would still be left with a Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Trading for Antetokounmpo would probably make the Knicks instant title favorites.
So, while Antetokounmpo doesn’t seem to be going anywhere right now, if he were to leave Milwaukee, it sounds like his next destination is painfully obvious.
If Antetokounmpo had no interest in going anywhere else around the league this offseason, why would his answer change in the future? Maybe more player movement could alter his decision-making process, but if he were to leave the Bucks, Charania’s reporting makes it sound like it would almost certainly be for Madison Square Garden.