Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024.
As Giannis Antetokounmpo laughed off trade rumors on social media, Karl-Anthony Towns found himself back in the middle of blockbuster speculation — even as the New York Knicks kept winning.
The contrast between Antetokounmpo’s public levity and the mounting tension around Towns has sharpened as the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline approaches, with New York once again linked to the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.
Giannis Appears Unbothered by Trade Buzz
Amid intensifying leaguewide speculation, Antetokounmpo appeared unfazed, leaning into humor on Instagram by jokingly pitching himself as a potential ambassador for Trojan condoms. The two-time NBA MVP referenced recent meme-driven endorsement campaigns featuring Kevin Durant and Kendall Jenner, turning viral narratives into brand deals.
“Kevin Durant secured a CeraVe endorsement deal. Kendall Jenner recently signed an endorsement deal with Fanatics,” Antetokounmpo said in his Instagram story. “Trojan, what’s up? I’m curious to see if your product works.”
Giannis Trojan
HeavyMilwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has some jokes amid the trade buzz.
The posts drew attention for their timing, arriving as Antetokounmpo remains the most consequential name on the trade market.
Giannis Trojan mockup ads
HeavyMilwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo posts mockups of Trojan ads starring himself.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks have begun listening to offers for their franchise cornerstone.
“Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, as several teams have made aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks, who are starting to listen,” Charania reported Wednesday.
Charania added that Milwaukee is not under pressure to act quickly.
“However, Milwaukee has indicated to interested teams that the organization is not in a rush to complete a move and is willing to navigate Antetokounmpo’s future in the offseason if its believed price point of a blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks isn’t met,” he wrote.
Antetokounmpo, 31, is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension on Oct. 1. Without an extension, he could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 by declining a $62.8 million player option.
Towns at Center of Knicks’ Trade Equation
Giannis, knicks, warriors
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks grabs the rebound before Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
While Antetokounmpo joked publicly, Towns’ situation has taken on a more serious tone in New York.
According to Newsday’s Steve Popper, the ongoing trade speculation has strained the relationship between the Knicks and their All-Star center.
“If you saw Towns after Wednesday night’s game — or really, if you’ve seen him at all this season — you know that hearing his name in trade talks has come at a cost,” Popper wrote. “Feelings are hurt. Egos are bruised. And maybe trust is gone.”
Towns’ $53.1 million salary makes him the Knicks’ most straightforward salary match in any Antetokounmpo blockbuster, a reality that has kept his name circulating despite New York’s recent surge.
Towns Shrugs Off Noise, Produces on the Glass
Publicly, Towns has tried to downplay the speculation.
“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for a year damn near,” Towns said earlier this week, per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. “That don’t matter to me. I don’t look at social media or none of that stuff. I focus on the job on hand, which is trying to get wins every single night.”
The Knicks have done just that.
New York routed the Portland Trail Blazers 127–97 on Friday night, extending its winning streak and continuing a defensive turnaround after a difficult stretch earlier in the month.
Towns has played a key role, particularly on the boards. He posted back-to-back 20-rebound performances, including a 22-rebound effort against the Toronto Raptors despite scoring just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. He followed that with 20 rebounds and 14 points against Portland.
Knicks Winning, Questions Linger
New York’s recent success has complicated the picture. The Knicks have stabilized after a rough midseason slide, yet Towns’ name continues to surface as Antetokounmpo trade chatter intensifies around the league.
Whether New York ultimately pursues a blockbuster or rides out the season with its current core remains unresolved. What is clear is the contrast: Antetokounmpo projecting ease and confidence amid uncertainty, and Towns navigating the quieter toll of speculation — even as the Knicks keep stacking wins.
With the deadline nearing, both storylines remain intertwined and unresolved.