Will Giannis Be Traded by Bucks? Latest Knicks Rumors, Updated NBA Landing Spots
As the Milwaukee Bucks' continue their recent downward spiral, Giannis Antetokounmpo's future has become the key storyline everyone is watching in the NBA.
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, if the Bucks do start having trade discussions with other teams about the two-time NBA MVP, the bidding will be open to other teams beyond the New York Knicks.
Charania previously reported on Dec. 3 that when Antetokounmpo's camp identified the Knicks as his preferred landing spot over the summer, and New York had an "exclusive negotiating window" over a multiweek period in August before the Bucks decided to keep their franchise player.
Teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat have been cited as landing spots for Antetokounmpo because they have the combination of players and draft picks to build an enticing package for the Bucks if they are forced into trading him.
It's not yet clear where things stand between the two parties, though ESPN's Brian Windhorst said in a radio interview last week that Antetokounmpo has already asked the Bucks for a trade.
This would seem to confirm why the Knicks had an exclusive negotiating window back in August. After no deal materialized at that time, Antetokounmpo told reporters at the start of training camp he has had thoughts about potentially playing for another organization many times throughout his career:
"It's not the first time. I had the same thoughts last year. I had the same thoughts two years ago. I had the same thoughts five years ago. It is never going to change. I want to be among the best. I want to compete with the best, and I want to win another championship."
This current situation seems like the first time there could be a lot of fire around the smoke because the Bucks are in a difficult position. They are 2-9 in their last 11 games and have fallen to 10th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Things could get worse in Milwaukee because Antetokounmpo could miss at least three more weeks due to a calf strain suffered against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 3. Three of its next four games are against teams with winning records, starting on Thursday against the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks aren't a great trade partner for a team in the Bucks' situation because they don't have picks to give up. After the 2026 draft, they don't control their own first-round selection again until 2030.
Milwaukee also isn't in position to take a trade that would result in the team fully tanking because it doesn't control its first-round draft pick until 2031.
Prior to injuring his calf, Antetokounmpo was off to arguably the best start to a season of his career. He is averaging 28.9 points on 63.9 percent shooting, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 rebounds per game in 17 starts.
