Huge Giannis Antetokounmpo update gives Knicks, Lakers fresh trade hope

Jeremy Beren

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Huge Giannis Antetokounmpo update gives Knicks, Lakers fresh trade hope image

Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

It is possible that Giannis Antetokounmpo has already played his final game as a Milwaukee Buck.

Antetokounmpo is currently out injured with a calf strain, but amid Milwaukee's 10-15 start to the 2025-26 NBA season, the two-time NBA MVP is reportedly considering his future with the Bucks.

In August, the Bucks and the New York Knicks held trade talks over Antetokounmpo, but the sides did not reach a deal. However, a new report from Jake Fischer could give the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and others renewed hope of striking a deal for the Milwaukee legend.

Fischer said Wednesday that "the writing is on the wall" for Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo as far as their futures in Cream City are concerned. He came to this conclusion after conversations with numerous executives and figures around the NBA -- including in Milwaukee.

"We're in this position right now because Antetokounmpo's agent Alex Saratsis told the Bucks this past summer that they would re-evaluate things about 20 games into the year, and that's where we're at," Fischer said. "The Bucks are looking up at the majority of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, they have been porous to say the least when Antetokounmpo has been out."

Even after acquiring Myles Turner in free agency over the summer, the Bucks rank just 17th in offensive rating and 19th in net rating.

That will hardly inspire confidence in Giannis that, when he returns from injury, he will slide into a situation where the Bucks can rocket up the standings in the competitive East.

Though Milwaukee continues to take a strong stance in trade calls with other teams, it is becoming increasingly clear that the franchise is going to have to begin planning for a future without the Greek Freak.

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Editorial Team