Giannis Originally 'Pushed' for Knicks Before Heat Trade and NY's NBA Title Win, Shams Reports

Before being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat on Monday night, star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly had another East Coast team in mind for his next landing spot.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo "pushed for a trade, with his reps making it clear that the New York Knicks were his preferred destination." However, the Bucks and Knicks never got close to completing a deal for the two-time NBA MVP.

"The Bucks and the Knicks briefly engaged in discussions last summer, but New York never believed Milwaukee seriously considered trading its superstar," Charania explained. "The Bucks, on the other hand, believed the Knicks' offers were never serious enough."

Nearly a year ago, Antetokounmpo revealed during a livestream that people around him had been hoping that he would land with the Knicks.

"A lot of people have tried to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there [New York] and stuff," Antetokounmpo said at the time.

Instead, the 31-year-old spent the entire 2025-26 season in Milwaukee while being subjected to trade rumors throughout the year. As he endured one of the most disappointing seasons of his career, the Knicks went on to win their first NBA championship since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals in five games and going 16-3 during the playoffs.

In the end, the Bucks sent Antetokounmpo and veteran forward Bobby Portis to the Heat late on Monday night in exchange for guard Tyler Herro, center Kel'el Ware, swingman Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round pick. Following the deal, Miami surged in the odds to win the NBA championship next season.

Antetokounmpo would have been a welcome addition in New York, but he will instead have to go up against the reigning champion Knicks as the Heat try to achieve supremacy in the Eastern Conference.