Giannis Says NY is Favorite City for Away Game amid Knicks, Nets, Bucks Trade Rumors

The front offices for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets may have perked up when Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo answered a question about his favorite NBA road city.

The two-time MVP picked New York City:

Even with the playoffs ongoing, Antetokounmpo's future is one of the biggest stories in the NBA.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday the 30-year-old "open-minded" about examining his next steps, be it staying in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere. NBA insider Chris Haynes followed up Saturday to report he and the Bucks will meet to discuss their general direction:

Back in March, the New York Post's Brian Lewis reported Antetokounmpo has been a long-term target for the Nets and their "Plan A" in the event they cashed in their trade assets for a marquee star.

On the Knicks, SNY's Ian Begley reported Monday that "it would be foolish" to remove them from the conversation. With the team having since qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals, the likelihood of them pursuing an acquisition this big may have diminished, though.

There's little reason to think Giannis was trying to send any sort of coded message to the Bucks with his response to the fan question. He already has a ton of leverage on Milwaukee as is.

Antetokounmpo does at least seem to understand how he is going to fuel more speculation:

Ultimately, his affinity for New York as a city probably has little bearing on where he winds up if he requests a trade.

Haynes reported is Antetokounmpo focused squarely on winning another championship. He could determine someone other than the Knicks or Nets presents the most attractive situation.