Report: Knicks, Bucks discussed Giannis trade
The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks engaged in trade talks surrounding star Giannis Antetokounmpo in August, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Knicks were reportedly Antetokounmpo's only desired trade destination if he were to leave the Bucks. The teams failed to reach an agreement, however; Milwaukee was left far from satisfied with New York's initial offers and didn't extend negotiations, while the Knicks felt that the Bucks weren't serious about potentially trading the two-time MVP, sources told Charania.
Who or what New York included in offers for the Greek forward is unclear, but the organization is limited in draft compensation it can include. The Knicks owe the Brooklyn Nets unprotected first-rounders in 2027, 2029, and 2031 as a result of the Mikal Bridges trade, meaning their remaining first-rounders through 2032 can only be sent out in pick swaps. New York is tentatively owed a 2026 first-round pick from the Washington Wizards, though that will only convey if it falls outside the top eight.
Bridges himself can't be traded until February after signing a four-year, $150-million extension on July 31.
Antetokounmpo, 30, reportedly first began considering a future outside Milwaukee in May, shortly after the team lost its first-round series in five games to the Indiana Pacers. The result marked a third consecutive first-round exit for the franchise, which has won just one playoff series since capturing the NBA championship in 2021.
New York, meanwhile, is on a different trajectory. Following back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks made their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years last season but were also eliminated by the Pacers. They're again expected to contend for the conference title in 2025-26.
Antetokounmpo is entering the first season of a three-year, $186-million extension he signed with Milwaukee in 2023. His contract is guaranteed through 2026-27 but contains a $62.8-million player option for 2027-28. As a result, he'll be eligible to sign a four-year extension worth approximately $275 million next October.
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