Giannis Reportedly Told Bucks Teammate Knicks Trade Was 'Quite Close' over Summer

Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly thought a trade to the New York Knicks over the offseason was nearly done.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, Antetokounmpo told at least one of his Milwaukee Bucks teammates during the summer that he "believed a trade to the Knicks was quite close to materializing."

When ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that Antetokounmpo and his agent were having discussions with the Bucks about his future, one point in the story noted the Knicks were the only team the two-time MVP was open to playing for outside of Milwaukee when he explored external options in the offseason.

Charania explained the Knicks had an "exclusive negotiating window" over a period of multiple weeks with Milwaukee in August, but other teams will be considered this time if the Bucks decide to explore deals.

It's unclear what type of offers the Knicks were making to the Bucks. They are just under the second apron right now, so they wouldn't be able to aggregate contracts for salary matching.

The good news from that standpoint is they wouldn't really have to because Karl-Anthony Towns is making close to the same amount as Antetokounmpo this season to build an offer around that would make the money work.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, ESPN's Kevin Pelton noted the Knicks don't have any of their own first-round picks to trade because of what they gave up to acquire Mikal Bridges last year. The best pick they could include is a top-eight protected pick from the Washington Wizards that would become a second-rounder in 2027 if it doesn't convey.

Unless the Knicks are able to find a way to bring in multiple teams in a trade, it's very hard to see them having enough on their own to build a package that would entice the Bucks if Antetokounmpo decides he wants to leave Milwaukee.