Asked on Wednesday about an ESPN report that stated the Bucks and Knicks had offseason discussions about Giannis Antetokounmpo after he expressed some concerns about Milwaukee’s ability to contend for a title, the two-time MVP said he hadn’t read the story, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link). However, Antetokounmpo spoke in more general terms about the trade speculation that has swirled around him in recent months and years.
“I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here,” Antetokounmpo said. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go, and it’s definitely going to be hard. We’re going to take it day by day, but I’m here. So all the other extra stuff does not matter. I think I’ve communicated with my teammates, communicated with the people I respect and love, that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, I wear this jersey, the rest does not matter. I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me.”
Despite expressing confidence in the Bucks’ revamped roster and making it clear he’s not seeking a change of scenery at this point, Antetokounmpo stopped short of stating that he’s committed to Milwaukee for the long term.
“If in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too,” he continued. “You’re allowed to make any decision you want. But I’m locked in. I’m locked in to this team. I’m locked in to these guys, to this group, and to this coaching staff and myself.”
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was also asked on Wednesday about ESPN’s report and made more of an effort to downplay it, framing the discussions Milwaukee reportedly had with the Knicks as a single conversation that was instigated by New York and didn’t go anywhere.
“I’ve been coaching 26, 27 years and one thing that I know is that 30 teams call 30 teams, all right?” Rivers said, per Nehm (Twitter link). “‘Hey, would you like to trade Chris Paul?’ And you say no. That does not constitute a conversation, all right? I read where it said ‘several conversations.’ Well, that never happened. It was a conversation where a team called and (general manager) Jon (Horst) has been saying no now for 11 years. I don’t know why this is a new story, but I guess it is.
“… I can tell you Jon has never called a team about Giannis. That has never happened. And until that happens, you really don’t have a story.”
Antetokounmpo has two more guaranteed years left on his current maximum-salary contract, with a player option for the 2027/28 season. Speculation about his future has intensified as of late because the Bucks have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past years and are coming off their worst regular season since 2017/18.
For his part, Antetokounmpo continues to perform at an MVP level, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 34.2 minutes per game while shooting 60.1% from the floor in 67 outings last season.
If it was reported by Shams, it was leaked by an agent. In this case, that would be Giannis’s agent.
Why would his agent leak it? Probably to make other teams aware Giannis is loose in the socket, so that more teams throw their hat in the ring.
Now we have Giannis declining to deny the story and mentioning the possibility of a new decision in 7 months. That’s pouring gasoline on the fire.
This just became the story of 2025-26. Let the Giannis games begin.
Whatever!
Nothing here. Shams Clickbait per usual. 🙂↔️
Yawn…Even if the Bucks were to trade him the cost would be so much to the new team they would destroy the future and more.
If Giannis demands a trade to New York or nowhere else. Bucks will take whatever package New York gives them. I think OG and Mitch should get it done without picks. Name 2 other players that are better than them that another team willing to give up? Is Miami willing to trade Bam and Herro very doubtful.
OG and Mitch? That wouldn’t even get them on teh phone. Bucks would want 5 1st round picks that is the thing the Knicks lack is draft picks.
Not Spurs or Thunder. They have more than enough to make the trade and survive the trade.
Problem is does Giannis want to go there. Those are the only 2 teams with enough to package in a trade.
Nope, you said 100% Giannis was going to retire a Buck and I was wrong to act like he was even available in a trade, no backpeddling now.
Giannis has proven to be a loyal one. Nothing to see here.
Loyal to who? Milwaukee? Why would he let his career take a back seat to the Bucks’ future?
This mirrors a few years ago, much hoopla from the media since it’s Giannis and known teams, Heat etc were circling about.
Giannis signed his extension then, he’ll probably sign his next one when time comes.
It will be the rage now ….. since Knicks are involved. Stephen A mad rants forthcoming.
Free agency is dead, as more than a few writers have declared.
Where it not for Pablo, this is one of the quietest offseason’s ever.
Not even close to the same as before. His perspective has changed with age just like everyone else’s does.
He’s giving them one more season, per his comments
Giannis is unhappy… he’s asked out every day of his life… it’s only a matter of time before he’s on your favorite team, buy out product.
^ that’s pure cope.
“If in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too,” he continued. “You’re allowed to make any decision you want.” actually, there is PLENTY to see here.
The Bucks FO and terrible ownership should be forced to reckon with how bad they messed up this team around Giannis. This roster around is flat out terrible. Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner and the 2nd and 3rd best players. That’s not a contender.
OKC could pull it off while keeping Shae for sure. A package next off season something like Chet, Dort, Wallace and however many firsts required could work. Move Jaylen to the three. Shae J-Will and Giannis is downright scary.
I said that yesterday and people harassed me. They got a boat load of 1sts & 2nds, and the CBA limits how many big salaries they can keep. They are going to have to make some trades one way or another. Landing Giannis probably won’t hurt their future draft prospects.
Aristotle…incorrect. Wallace and Dort will want to get paid at some point, no? Taking on Giannis at $50-60 will be cheaper in the long run. OKC also have enough picks to keep replenishing the roster even after trading for Giannis. Dort is trending toward $25 per and Wallace probably $20 at least. Not to mention Chet is rocking $40 per or thereabouts. Do the math young man. The cap crunch will 100% come looking for OKC soon enough. Giannis will be a top elite talent for quite a while yet. Ain’t nothing team friendly about Chets extension either. Dude missed 66% of the season just gone. Was just good timing or luck he was ready to contribute come playoffs. That on being out his first season.
@ Davey….Lmfao.
Listen, I agree OKC and SAS have better chips than GSW if their front offices decided to make a play for him, but: who says they will?
So, who else clears GSW? Tell me. I really am interested because I can’t see anyone topping GSW’s up to 6 firsts and “anyone but Steph”. GSW has a really good roster outside of Steph, the Bucks would massively benefit from having Kuminga, Moody and Podziemski right now.
OKC is has carefully created the most advantageous conditions for a dynasty in modern American pro sport. And, it has done so under the constraints of the CBA as a small market team. All that would be lost if they traded for Giannis.
This is called owning the future:
– OKC are current champions
– Won with youngest team in NBA history at 23.9 years old (average age of a minute played). That means, unlike Giannis at 30 yrs old, all OKC players (other than Caruso) will be improving for the next 5 seasons.
– Had the largest margin of victory in regular season in NBA history (12.9 ppg)
– At +210 this season, are prohibitive favorites. Since 1990, only the Bulls, Miami (for 1 season), and the Warriors (2 seasons) have been bigger favorites than OKC this season.
– For the next 6 seasons, OKC has a massive advantage in draft capital over the rest of the league. How about 11 FRP’s, 15 2RP’s, and 2 swaps in the first round.”
OKC has Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren locked up for the next 6 seasons with team-friendly rookie extensions. They can afford to keep everybody other than Hartenstein over the next few seasons.
Giannis may be a generational talent, but acquiring and paying him would break the winning formula.
Giannis and Jericho Sims for Hart, Mitch and Brunson works in the trade machine.
Towns, Giannis, Anunoby, Bridges, McBride is one hell of a starting five. Of course that leaves Yabusele and Clarkson as the best reserves.
I’ll see myself out
Ok but you realize that they’re not trading Brunson, right? They could trade anyone else but no way are they trading Jalen Brunson. They could trade OG and Hart, or Bridges and Hart, or Kat, but there’s absolutely no way they’re trading Jalen Brunson. Fans would tear the Garden down.
1. Fans would 100% not “tear the Garden down” trading a guy who has only been on the team for a mere 3 years, especially if it meant getting Giannis.
2. Knicks fans act like Brunson is 100x better than he is. He’s very good, but he’s half the player Giannis is. Knicks fans should be furious if Brunson is the one who holds up the deal. You overrate Brunson and underrate Giannis here, why?
3. If the Bucks say “Brunson and a bunch of picks for Giannis” that deal is getting done no matter how you feel about a guy who has played on your fave team for a mere 3 years with no ring.
The one who needs this trade more than anyone. Are the Milwaukee Bucks. They have no future picks. And Turner was their last major move with Giannis. Sports rumors are the original fake news. Before social media and internet. There is no integrity on SM.
You build teams, contenders to win titles. Bucks had their run. Then ran into injury woes. It happens. Giannis is 30 yrs old. At this point it’s best to move on for both team and player. Makes no basketball sense to continue this relationship. This Bucks team will not age well.
As a Knicks fan I’d love to have Giannis. Giannis and Mitch make a great combo. Knicks would have to find a third team to take Towns. Which won’t be easy. The best places for Giannis to go. Would be San Antonio or OKC. Not only can both offer young talent and picks. They also have a team that can compete for years to come. Frankly I thought Giannis was going to Spurs on draft night. Either of these trades can still happen this year. Best thing that can happen imo for both sides.
There is an old GM saying better to trade a player to early than to late. Giannis has some years left in him.
Exactly lol. It’s best for both sides ……
Let’s play along, this offseason had been so tepid ….. even Flagg is flying under the radar.
The SPURS, PELS, MAGIC have the draft capital and young pieces the BUCKS might want.
OKC will sit this one out, Presti will not break up his big three, even for Giannis.
Giannis is only 30 but a lot of miles on that body. Does anyone make a deal? He’s got his ring like Dirk. He stays put entire career.
Am I the only one hearing Doc’s voice while reading his quotes?
Bucks should trade him and just miss the playoffs, lose in the play in, and then be gifted the #1 pick like Dallas was for trading a franchise player.
Giannis is right. After Luka got traded all players should definitely do what’s best for them!
It’s like sports reporters need interesting news to keep their jobs.
Only 1-2 superstars are not complete losers on losing teams. SGA was the lone winner last year.
Give it up about people who didn’t win the ring.