Overview

• ESPN reporting says the Bucks and Knicks held an exclusive, multiweek negotiation window in August that never gained traction on a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
• Milwaukee signaled it preferred to keep its star and believed New York’s offer was not compelling, while Knicks officials doubted the Bucks were truly open to a deal.
• Multiple outlets report Antetokounmpo identified the Knicks as the only team he would consider outside the Bucks, after voicing title-contention concerns to GM Jon Horst in a late-July meeting in Greece.
• New York’s ability to bid is constrained by depleted draft capital and Mikal Bridges’ new extension, which limits immediate trade options, with only one tradable first-round pick and three swaps available.
• The Bucks waived-and-stretched Damian Lillard and signed Myles Turner to compete now, as Antetokounmpo’s agent fielded broad interest and the two-time MVP said he could revisit his stance in six to seven months.