The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks had discussions this summer about a blockbuster trade involving superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Knicks “did not make a strong enough offer,” according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Via ESPN:
Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN.
The Bucks picked up the Knicks’ call on Antetokounmpo, and the sides engaged in conversations for a window of time in August, league sources said, but the teams never got traction on a deal.
The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo, but those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade, league sources said. It’s unclear how the Bucks would have responded to an all-out chase by the Knicks. The multiweek process was described by one source with direct knowledge of the talks as an exclusive negotiating window. New York, for its part, believes the Bucks never were serious about entertaining an Antetokounmpo trade, sources said.
The talks reportedly took place after the Knicks agreed to sign Mikal Bridges to an extension. But Bridges is not eligible to be traded until Feb. 1, 2026, per SNY’s Ian Begley.
One NBA executive told NJ Advance Media of the Knicks’ offer:
“Whatever it was, I’m sure it didn’t even come close to making a deal for a 2-time MVP.”
Antetokounmpo will make about $54 million this season and on Oct. 1, 2026 he becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through 2030-31, per ESPN.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an NBA title in 2021, but the Bucks have not been serious contenders since.
“I just want more,” he said Saturday. “I want to win another championship. I want to win another medal for the national team. Legacy is very important for me. … You got to play to win. I don’t play to be around and get paid.”
The Knicks, meantime, are searching for their first title since 1973 after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time in 25 years.
Carmelo Anthony, the Hall of Famer, former Knicks and NBA on NBC analyst, picked them to come out of the East.
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
