The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks reportedly engaged in trade talks involving superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in August, but multiple factors prevented a deal from getting done.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks were the only team Giannis would entertain getting traded to during the offseason, which led to a “multi-week process” of discussions between the two franchises.
However, the Bucks reportedly didn’t feel the Knicks’ offer was strong enough, and the Knicks never thought the Bucks were serious about trading Antetokounmpo, as the Bucks “insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move” the two-time NBA MVP.
Milwaukee reportedly feared that Giannis would request a trade due to his desire to win another championship, and while a formal request never came, Giannis reportedly told Bucks general manager Jon Horst that he had had “serious questions” about the Bucks’ ability to contend.
Because of that, Antetokounmpo reportedly is expected to “keep his options open,” meaning a trade request could come at some point during the 2025-26 season if the Bucks aren’t trending in the right direction.
The Bucks were among the most active teams in the NBA this offseason in hopes of putting a team around Giannis that can not only make the playoffs, but go on a deep run as well.
In addition to retaining the likes of Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, the Bucks made an all-in move by waiving injured guard Damian Lillard and signing longtime Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in free agency.
It remains to be seen if essentially replacing Lillard and center Brook Lopez with Turner will be enough to get the Bucks over the hump, especially considering the fact that they suffered their third consecutive first-round playoff exit last season.
Charania noted that the Bucks are confident in their ability to contend, though, largely due to the major injuries that other top teams from last season are dealing with.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum are both out with torn Achilles. Haliburton has already been ruled out for the entire 2025-26 campaign, and Tatum may not play either.
The Pacers won the Eastern Conference and the Celtics reached the second round of the playoffs last season, but it is fair to expect significant drop-offs for both teams.
That likely leaves the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the teams to beat in the East, which could explain Giannis’ reported interest in a trade to New York.
The Knicks are returning a core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, although it is fair to wonder if moving some of that depth for a superstar like Antetokounmpo would be worth it and effective in terms of getting New York to the NBA Finals.
Antetokounmpo has already been to the top of the mountain, winning a championship and NBA Finals MVP with the Bucks in 2021.
Giannis has also remained an elite player despite being on the verge of turning 31 in December. He has been named an All-Star in nine straight seasons, and he has averaged at least 30 points per game in each of the past three seasons and at least 11 rebounds per game in each of the past seven.
Given the impact he has had and his status as the face of the franchise, the Bucks’ desire to keep Giannis in the fold is understandable, but it sounds like winning is the only thing that will convince Antetokounmpo to stick around moving forward.
