Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks is officially in jeopardy.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the multi-dimensional 6-foot-11 forward and his agent Alex Saratsis have ‘started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future.’
It’s well-documented that Antetokounmpo and the New York Knicks have previously engaged in trade talks. However, their conversations didn’t lead to beneficial trade for both parties.
That said, DailyKnicks’ Will Eudy believes that Charania’s mid-week report just opened the door for a successful Antetokounmpo trade to the Knicks this season.
“The arrival of Giannis could fast-track New York from just another contender to one of the two or three biggest championship threats in the league,” Eudy wrote Wednesday. “Antetokounmpo brings to the court elite rim protection, top-level two-way impact, and the kind of dominance that alters playoff series.”
“Bringing in Giannis would be the answer to a longstanding problem in New York: the lack of a true two-way superstar. He would instantly and dramatically raise the ceiling of this group and change the coaching staff's game plan in the best way possible.”
“The kicker, of course, is that acquiring Giannis won’t come cheap. It would have to be a large package involving rotation players, multiple first-round picks, and likely several more second-rounders as well.”
“Still, for a franchise that hasn’t won a title in decades, mortgaging some future assets for a generational star may be the only way to realistically win a championship.”
The Knicks reached the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals without Antetokounmpo on the roster.
Still, with a golden opportunity to take control of the weaker of the two NBA conferences, New York would be foolish to stay away from the Greek Freak on the trade market.
Would the Knicks have to break up their Big Four (Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges) to make a deal come to life? It’s almost a guarantee, but for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber, it would be worth making a massive roster adjustment.
The nine-time All-Star and NBA champion is a fluid rim-running forward who can’t be contained when he has a full head of steam.
Antetokounmpo has also flaunted a surprisingly improved three-point jumper, as he’s currently shooting 43.5% from deep on a low volume of triples (10-23).
If the Knicks can find a way to bring Antetokounmpo to New York, the franchise will undoubtedly emerge as the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2026 finals.
More NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo bombshell trade news just made life even better for Luka Doncic, Lakers