Giannis Antetokounmpo voiced his considerations over the viability of the Milwaukee Bucks as a title contender over the offseason and he needed to discover whether or not there can be another path ahead for each himself and the franchise, sources inform ESPN.
Agent Alex Saratsis fielded important curiosity in his shopper and performed due diligence on the absolute best suits ought to he be traded from the Bucks, the New York Knicks have been the one staff to emerge the place Antetokounmpo had curiosity in taking part in.
The Bucks and Knicks engaged in conversations throughout a time frame in August, however the groups by no means gained traction on a deal. Milwaukee communicated they most well-liked to not commerce Antetokounmpo, however these with the Bucks consider New York did not make a robust sufficient supply to even proceed discussions. The method performed out over multiples weeks and described by one supply as an unique negotiating window. The Knicks do not consider the Bucks have been ever severe about contemplating an Antetokounmpo commerce at this level.
Some sources have believed since 2024 that Antetokounmpo would need to be a part of the Knicks if he ever explored a commerce from the Bucks. Whilst Antetokounmpo turned a attainable possibility over the medium time period, the Knicks used their future draft picks on buying and selling for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities. The Knicks are left with one first round pick to trade plus three picks swaps.
Bucks sources had feared Antetokounmpo may make a proper commerce request throughout the week of July 28 when Jon Horst traveled on his one-day journey to Greece.
This was the primary offseason Antetokounmpo really thought-about his finest choices exterior the Bucks. Antetokounmpo will now pay near consideration to how the Bucks carry out to begin the season and likewise the panorama of the remainder of the NBA.
Antetokounmpo will change into eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1, 2026. If he is traded, he’ll have the ability to signal the identical take care of one other staff six months after a commerce. Antetokounmpo most just lately signed a contract extension with the Bucks in 2023 following their commerce for Damian Lillard. Antetokounmpo additionally signed an extension in 2020 after the Bucks traded for Jrue Vacation.
The Bucks signed Myles Turner as their main offseason acquisition after utilizing the waive-and-stretch provision on Lillard.
