Jalen Brunson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Knicks
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks gets the loose ball before Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reignited New York Knicks trade speculation during NBA All-Star Weekend after openly discussing franchises he once dreamed of playing for — including the Knicks — while reaffirming his current commitment to Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo opened his interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews by stressing that, for now, his focus remains in Milwaukee.
“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks and I’m committed to the people that I work with — my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc (Rivers), (general manager) John (Horst) and the front office,” Antetokounmpo said. “You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
He then pivoted to a broader reflection on childhood dreams and hypothetical scenarios, placing Madison Square Garden at the center of that imagination.
“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron passes me the ball?” Antetokounmpo said.
Giannis’ Words Reaffirm Knicks’ Longstanding Appeal
Antetokounmpo also mentioned the past two champions, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, as teams he pondered in abstract terms, framing the comments as competitive curiosity rather than dissatisfaction.
“How would that work?” he mused. “If there will ever be a scenario where I’m not a Milwaukee Buck anymore, I just wanted anybody to know, like, hey man, I didn’t quit on my team because it’s my team, and I love it.”
While Antetokounmpo emphasized loyalty, his willingness to name New York again reinforced the Knicks’ status as a credible long-term destination for one of the league’s most powerful stars.
New York Was Giannis’ Preferred Landing Spot Last Summer
That credibility was already established behind the scenes.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported in October that Antetokounmpo identified the Knicks as his preferred landing spot during exploratory discussions last summer. That stance led to an exclusive negotiation window between Milwaukee and New York, a rare development in superstar trade talks.
At the time, the Bucks and Knicks engaged in direct discussions without opening the process to the rest of the league — a concession that underscored Antetokounmpo’s interest in New York and the Knicks’ standing as a serious long-term option, according to Charania.
Despite that access, insider reports have consistently portrayed New York’s approach as measured rather than aggressive.
Knicks Drew Firm Line Ahead of Trade Deadline
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline that the Knicks set a clear internal boundary on how far they were willing to go.
“The Knicks believe in this team, and that could end up being an excellent assessment or that could end up being a mistake,” Windhorst said. “But they believed in this team last summer when Giannis was sort of loosely available. They didn’t make an aggressive offer at that time to move those talks forward.”
According to Windhorst, little has changed since then. New York did not signal a willingness to assemble the type of sprawling, multi-team package typically required to pry a two-time MVP from a franchise determined to exhaust every alternative first.
Summer Offers Knicks Tools That February Didn’t
If the Knicks fall short of a championship this season, league insiders expect Antetokounmpo trade discussions to resurface in the offseason — a timeline that materially improves New York’s flexibility.
By summer, the Knicks are projected to control two first-round picks (2026 and 2033), along with multiple high-salaried starters not named Jalen Brunson. That combination provides both financial ballast and optionality in constructing potential deals.
Championship Hunger Drives Giannis’ Outlook
Antetokounmpo later illustrated his mindset with a metaphor that resonated across the league, comparing Milwaukee’s 2021 championship to an unforgettable steak dinner and the seasons that followed — including multiple early playoff exits — as meals that failed to deliver the same satisfaction.
“You want that steak again,” Antetokounmpo said. “But that’s where you have to come to the realization that, ‘What if I fail in this, I won’t feel it again and stay in Milwaukee?’ And are you okay with that? And the answer is no, I’m not.”
The comment reinforced what New York has long believed: Antetokounmpo’s ultimate calculus will be driven by championship opportunity.
Whether that opportunity ever leads him to Madison Square Garden remains uncertain. But by naming the Knicks once again — and with New York positioned to revisit the conversation this summer — the door remains open.