Giannis Antetokounmpo only had one team in mind for potential trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo spent the summer being floated in trade rumors. The two-time MVP is reportedly disgruntled following three consecutive first-round playoff exits for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, this summer was the closest Giannis has come to seeking a trade away from Milwaukee. The report claimed that the New York Knicks emerged as the only other team Giannis could envision himself playing for in the upcoming season.

"Ever since the NBA combine in mid-May, Alex Saratsis, an Octagon managing director and Antetokounmpo's U.S.-based representative, has fielded rampant interest in Antetokounmpo and conducted serious due diligence on best possible outside fits should the star and his reps push to be traded from the Bucks," Charania reported. "Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN."

The Knicks are arguably the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference this season. In recent years, the front office has slowly pieced together a stellar roster. And while the decision to fire Tom Thibodeau after an Eastern Conference Finals run certainly raised some eyebrows, they have continued to push forward with their championship plan.

It's understandable why Antetokounmpo and his representation pinpointed the Knicks as a potential landing spot. 

Bucks "were never serious" about trading Giannis

According to Charania, New York believed that Milwaukee was never serious about trading its star player, despite multiple discussions between the two franchises.

"The multiweek process was described by one source with direct knowledge of the talks as an exclusive negotiating window," Charania reported. "New York, for its part, believes the Bucks never were serious about entertaining an Antetokounmpo trade, sources said."

In fairness, the Bucks were under no pressure to part with Giannis. Despite his frustration, he never officially requested a trade. Furthermore, the Knicks likely never produced the mammoth offer necessary for Milwaukee to take a serious seat at the negotiating table. 

Nevertheless, there is always time for the two sides to reopen their discussions. After all, the trade deadline isn't until Feb. 5, and if the Bucks start the season on a cold streak, it could make sense to maximize their return on an aging, but still elite, superstar.

Giannis' future has never been in such doubt. Yet, if the Bucks have another disappointing season, there will be a long line of teams waiting to give him a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the NBA.