Overview

• After a late-July meeting in Greece with GM Jon Horst, Milwaukee and New York held an exclusive negotiating window in August that produced no traction on a trade.
• Multiple outlets citing ESPN’s Shams Charania report that Antetokounmpo identified the Knicks as the only team he would consider outside Milwaukee.
• Bucks officials signaled they would not move their franchise player without a compelling return, while New York viewed Milwaukee as unwilling to truly engage, according to sources.
• New York’s bid was constrained by spent draft capital and Mikal Bridges’ August extension, which made him ineligible to be traded until February, leaving the Knicks with one first-rounder and three pick swaps.
• Antetokounmpo begins the 2025–26 season with the Bucks emphasizing title contention, and if talks reopen during the season the field of suitors is expected to widen; he becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension on Oct. 1, 2026, with the same deal available six months after any trade.