Giannis Antetokounmpo voiced his considerations over the viability of the Milwaukee Bucks as a title contender over the offseason and he wished to discover whether or not there could be an alternate path ahead for each himself and the franchise, sources inform ESPN.
Agent Alex Saratsis fielded vital curiosity in his shopper and carried out due diligence on the very best matches ought to he be traded from the Bucks, the New York Knicks had 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 imagine 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 imagine the Bucks had been ever critical 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 doable 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 spherical choose to commerce plus three picks swaps.
Bucks sources had feared Antetokounmpo might make a proper commerce request through the week of July 28 when Jon Horst traveled on his one-day journey to Greece.
This was the primary offseason Antetokounmpo actually thought-about his finest choices outdoors the Bucks. Antetokounmpo will now pay near consideration to how the Bucks carry out to start out the season and in addition the panorama of the remainder of the NBA.Â
Antetokounmpo will turn into eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on October 1, 2026. If he is traded, he’ll be capable 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.Â