NBA insider's Giannis Antetokounmpo trade prediction is bad news for Knicks, Hawks, Heat, but there's a catch

Jeremy Beren

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NBA insider's Giannis Antetokounmpo trade prediction is bad news for Knicks, Hawks, Heat, but there's a catch image

Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks are heating up at the perfect time.

The Bucks, winners of four of their past five games, are closing in on the 10th seed and a Play-in Tournament spot in the tight Eastern Conference. At 16-20, Milwaukee should be good enough to fight for the playoffs -- but that alone will not satisfy superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is in the midst of a historic season individually and wants to win another championship.

This has prompted significant, continued trade speculation around Antetokounmpo, five months after the New York Knicks directly engaged the Bucks in trade talks for the two-time MVP.

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Appearing Tuesday on FanDuel TV's "Run It Back," NBA insider Sam Amick revealed that there is something of a "disconnect" between how people around the league are viewing Antetokounmpo's situation as opposed to how the Bucks' locker room -- and the player himself -- is viewing it.

"I think eventually he's going to be out of town," Amick predicted. "I don't think it happens mid-season."

Amick said that Antetokounmpo has characterized recent reports about his future as "false narratives." But what Amick believes Antetokounpo will not discuss publicly is his perception that there is not a "clear pathway" to a team that would satisfy his championship ambitions right now.

For example, the Knicks were "front and center" in trade talks for Antetokounmpo back in August, but Amick thinks the Greek Freak would be concerned with the overall strength of the roster if he were to force his way there in a midseason blockbuster.

As such, the chances are growing for Antetokounmpo to "settle in" for the remainder of the year in Milwaukee -- and he will reassess his future afterward.

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