The NBA rumor mill is always buzzing, especially over the summer during the offseason.
Kevin Durant was traded from Phoenix to Houston earlier this week, Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both recently signed supermax contracts to stay put, and the Milwaukee Bucks shockingly waived Damian Lillard following his Achilles injury in the playoffs.
There's been speculation Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the next NBA superstar to request a trade, and following the Bucks parting ways with Lillard, it feels like now would be the time to do so if he wants to leave Milwaukee. But where would Antetokounmpo go that makes sense for the next chapter of his career?
It seems like the people around the two-time MVP have an idea…
"A lot of people have tried to convince me, try to convince me to go and play there [New York] and stuff," Antetokounmpo told popular streamer iShowSpeed.
The Knicks have long been rumored as a potential landing spot for the star forward, especially after it was reported he was "open-minded" about leaving the Bucks back in May.
SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noted at the time that "it would be foolish to count the Knicks out" on a potential trade for Antetokounmpo. But then New York fired Tom Thibodeau after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers and it felt that the odds of landing the superstar weren't good due to a number of hurdles.
New York will of course continue to monitor his situation with the Bucks until he commits to the team long-term. Antetokounmpo has three years left on his $175 million contract with a player option for the third season, and is scheduled to make $54 million in the 2025-2026 season.
Antetokounmpo was later asked by iShowSpeed if he plans to stay in Milwaukee.
"Probably, probably. We'll see, we'll see," Antetokounmpo said. "Probably, I love Milwaukee."
It's not a 100 percent solid yes, so Knicks fans can continue to dream of the blockbuster trade scenario for the time being.
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