NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could be looking for a new city to call home this offseason – could that mean we see the Greek Freak in New York?
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo, for the first time, is “open-minded about whether his best fit is remaining in Milwaukee – or playing elsewhere.”
While Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an NBA title in 2020-21, the Bucks have been bounced in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last three years.
Per Charania, Antetokounmpo and his representatives will meet with the Bucks front office at some point this offseason to discuss his future with the club. He is currently on his second super-max contract with Milwaukee, and is under contract through the 2026-27 season, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
If Antetokounmpo does request a trade and Milwaukee obliges, could the Knicks or Nets come calling? Both teams have shown interested in acquiring Antetokounmpo in the past, including at the most recent trade deadline, with SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noting the News aren’t the only team keeping an eye on the two-time MVP.
“The Nets, it should be noted, have a bevy of assets to offer in a trade for Antetokounmpo – or another star,” Begley wrote in April. “Brooklyn owns four first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft and has 13 tradeable first-round picks in the next seven drafts.”
It would certainly be more difficult to envision the Knicks being able to fit Antetokounmpo’s contract with the way the roster is currently constructed, but Leon Rose has proven that he’s not afraid to trade major pieces like Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Donte DiVincenzo to acquire pieces like Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.
Antetokounmpo was named to his ninth straight All-Star team this season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
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