Rumor: Knicks Have Been Monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Situation With Bucks Very Closely Before Offseason Started

The New York Knicks have been monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation with the Milwaukee Bucks very closely before the offseason started, according to NBA reporter James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. 

If Antetokounmpo requests a trade from the Bucks, the Knicks will probably heavily pursue the superstar.

“It is my understanding that Leon Rose and company have been monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee very closely, even before the offseason started,” Edwards III wrote. “Many around the league believe the Knicks are interested in star hunting, and while that opportunity hasn’t popped up yet, I certainly believe it’s in the cards if the right situation presents itself.”

New York signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150 million extension before August 6, so the small forward can still be traded next season. 

Milwaukee would likely ask for Bridges in an Antetokounmpo trade. 

“As for the Bridges extension, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that New York waited this long into the summer to get it done,” Edwards III wrote. “The Giannis situation has lingered (and is continuing to somewhat linger), but people I’ve talked to are fairly confident Antetokounmpo will start next season with Milwaukee. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Knicks signed Bridges to an extension before Aug. 6.

“A player who signs an extension can’t be traded for six months. If Bridges signed his extension on Aug. 6 or later, he wouldn’t be eligible to get moved until next summer, as six months from Aug. 6 would take us past the expected February trade deadline. The fact that Bridges signed before then makes him eligible to be traded, if the Knicks choose to do that, before the deadline.

“I don’t believe New York did this because it is without a doubt trading Bridges. I believe Rose and company did this to give themselves some flexibility in the event something — like Giannis wanting out — becomes a possibility.”

Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with the Bucks. The future Hall of Famer guided the franchise to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. 

However, Milwaukee has won only one postseason series since winning the 2021 title. 

Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million next season. The Bucks signed the do-it-all swingman to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023.

One of the best players in NBA history, 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 career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks.

New York made the conference finals last season for the first time since 2000. The Knickerbockers lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

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