NBA Offseason Movements
During the offseason, the NBA is rife with speculation and movement, and this summer is no different. Earlier this week, in a surprising turn of events, Kevin Durant transitioned from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, superstars Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have secured their futures with lucrative supermax deals, while the Milwaukee Bucks made headlines by waiving Damian Lillard following his Achilles injury sustained in the playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future
The landscape of player transactions has led to increasing chatter around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has emerged as a potential candidate to request a trade. With recent developments at the Bucks raising eyebrows, many believe it could be the right moment for the two-time MVP to contemplate his future away from Milwaukee. Speculation about where Antetokounmpo might land is rampant, with some insiders suggesting a prominent destination could be the New York Knicks.
Speaking with popular streamer iShowSpeed, Antetokounmpo acknowledged that several voices have been encouraging him to consider a move to New York. “A lot of people have tried to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there [New York] and stuff,” he shared.
This has fueled ongoing rumors about a Knicks pursuit as the possible next chapter in his career. In May, it was reported that Antetokounmpo had expressed some openness to the idea of leaving the Bucks, leading SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley to caution against discounting the Knicks as a viable trade partner.
However, the situation took a twist when New York parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau following his team’s elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Indiana Pacers. This development raised questions about the Knicks’ realistic ability to secure Antetokounmpo amidst various challenges.
Contract and Future Considerations
For now, the Knicks are keenly observing any updates regarding Giannis’s status with Milwaukee, particularly as he holds a $175 million contract that has three years remaining, including a player option in the final year, during which he is set to earn $54 million in the 2025-2026 season.
When directly asked by iShowSpeed about his plans for staying in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo responded cautiously, saying, “Probably, probably. We’ll see, we’ll see. Probably, I love Milwaukee.”
His reply, though affectionate towards the city, leaves room for uncertainty, allowing Knicks enthusiasts to keep alive their hopes of landing this marquee player in a potential blockbuster trade.
