Report: Knicks Could Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the New York Knicks could pursue a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Monday that Antetokounmpo is open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, who have won only one postseason series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games. 

“After trading for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby, the Knicks – on paper – don’t look like a team that could trade for Antetokounmpo,” Begley wrote. “But league sources familiar with the dynamic say it would be foolish to count the Knicks out because of their roster construction.”

The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54,126,380 next season.

Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a one-time Defensive Player of the Year and a nine-time All-Star. He has spent his entire career with the Bucks. The superstar forward has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. 

Antetokounmpo does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. The future Hall of Famer averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks this season.

The Bucks won 48 games in the regular season but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in five games. 

The Knicks are up 3-1 on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.