NBA Rumors: Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Almost Landed in New York

With the NBA regular season right around the corner, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is staying in Milwaukee, but his future is far from settled.

This offseason, it seemed like Antetokounmpo could have been on the move after the Bucks struggled to make a competitive series with the Indiana Pacers in the first round, losing in five games.

Antetokounmpo contemplated his future in Milwaukee this offseason. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania^[1], that contemplation could have led to a new beginning with the New York Knicks.

The Bucks considered multiple trade suitors for Antetokounmpo. However, the 30-year-old superstar from Greece only had interest in leaving Milwaukee for New York City.

Charania reported that the Bucks and Knicks engaged in trade talks for Antetokounmpo throughout August. But traction on a deal never materialized as the Bucks were apprehensive to trade away a franchise legend to an Eastern Conference foe.

Antetokounmpo has consistently applied pressure to the Bucks, repeatedly stating that he wants to win another championship in Milwaukee. If the Greek Freak feels like he cannot win with the Bucks, he could have his eyes set on a new destination.

There’s no denying that the Knicks are ready to contend right now. They have the fourth-best odds to win the NBA Championship and the second-best odds to win the Eastern Conference.

According to oddsmakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team that stands in New York’s way of making it out of the East this season. Remember, the Indiana Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum due to ruptured Achilles tendons.

The East is wide open for the taking^[2]. Which is why some pundits in New York will rip the Knicks for not pulling the trigger on a deal to land Antetokounmpo in the Big Apple.

But it takes two teams to tango. And according to Charania’s reporting, the Bucks seemed pretty apprehensive to participate in trade conversations even though they understood that their relationship with their homegrown superstar could be rocky.

Bucks general manager Jon Horst was able to move on from Damian Lillard, who just did not work out in Milwaukee due to injuries. Then, Milwaukee added free agent big man Myles Turner^[3] from the Indiana Pacers. If the Bucks stay healthy, there’s a world where they can make some noise in a weakened Eastern Conference.

While it sounds like Antetokounmpo certainly has his eyes on New York, winning heals everything. If the Knicks can win a title without him, they will feel like geniuses for not mortgaging their roster and their future for one player.

Whereas if the Bucks make noise in the NBA postseason, Antetokounmpo could be convinced that Milwaukee is a place to contend.

It feels like it’s up to the Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers – or some other Eastern Conference contender – to handle business before Antetokounmpo teams up with Jalen Brunson.