Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks for some time is hanging thin with one promise: a championship run. Throughout the summer, speculation swirled about whether the two-time MVP might leave Wisconsin for a bigger market, fueling endless debate among fans and analysts. At the time, many assumed these rumors reflected the hopes of larger-market teams rather than Giannis himself. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania has now confirmed a surprising development that caught everyone off guard.

Just last week, the Greek superstar confirmed that he considered taking his talents elsewhere during the offseason. However, as you’d expect, he did not take any names. But Shams has now revealed that not only did the Bucks hear offers from other franchises, but Giannis also approved a deal with the New York Knicks: “New York emerged as the only team Giannis Antetokounmpo desired outside of Milwaukee in the offseason, sources told ESPN, and the Knicks and Bucks engaged in talks for a window of time.”

While that’s exciting news for Knicks fans who would welcome the 31-year-old forward with open arms, it would put two of their current stars’ futures in jeopardy. Senior NBA Insider Brett Siegel shared his thoughts on what New York might have to give up if they go all in to land the Greek Freak. “Any path for the Knicks to come close to offering the Bucks the value needed to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo would need to be a multi-team deal,” Siegel noted. “NY has virtually no draft capital and would need to trade guys like Bridges/Anunoby just to have a shot at creating such.”

The journalist pointed out that the Knicks don’t have enough assets to offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is set to earn around $54.1 million for the 2025-26 season. Right now, New York is hard-capped by the second apron, suggesting that it cannot take in more value than it can give. So, to make any kind of deal work, they’ll have to not only include another team in the deal but also give up key players such as Miles Bridges and OG Anunoby.

Only Bridges and Anunoby have contracts sizable enough that could help the Knicks land Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Bridges is expected to earn around $24.9 million this season, Anunoby is set to make a whopping $39.56 million in salaries during the upcoming campaign. Although the New York Knicks do have higher-paid players than the pair, it’s safe to assume that they won’t be willing to trade either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jalen Brunson away from the Big Apple.

Having said that, even if the Knicks’ front office is willing to sacrifice their depth to acquire Giannis, they cannot make a move until January. Bridges will only become trade-eligible then. In fact, this might’ve been the reason why the Milwaukee Bucks felt that the offer made back in August by New York wasn’t strong enough, which Shams Charania shared on his recent report on the situation. However, if the Knicks don’t present a decent offer and sign Giannis despite mutual interest, which teams will?

Nets and others can chase Giannis Antetokounmpo if not New York

Well, while Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed to have singled out his future destination earlier this summer, there seems to be a lot of complexities within the deal. The New York Knicks have their hands tied due to a stacked roster. While that’s saddening news for the Knicks loyalists who would’ve gotten their hopes up when the news initially broke through, but it opens a window for the other teams who might have what it takes to land the Greek sensation.

One of the first teams that could make a serious move, of course, has to be the Brooklyn Nets. The other team from New York City has been long waiting on such an opportunity with their what seems like endless supply of draft picks and other assets. However, while the Nets might possess everything that the Milwaukee Bucks might be asking in exchange, their biggest problem will be convincing Giannis. The front office will really have to show the 31-year-old how they envision the future of the franchise.

It’s only then that they can land him. Nonetheless, apart from the Nets, several other teams will also try their luck. This includes the likes of the Golden State Warriors, who are already speculated to have plans to land Giannis Antetokounmpo during the summer of 2027, when his current contract with the Bucks expires. Moreover, teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Hawks are also rumored to be monitoring the situation closely. Now, will Giannis leave Wisconsin for any of these teams? That’s something only time will tell.