Everybody was anxiously awaiting Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decision. Following another first-round exit from the playoffs, the two-time MVP was prepared to explore his options and compete for championships somewhere else. At least, that’s what we all felt as fans. In the end, though, he chose the Milwaukee Bucks, returning for his 13th season with the franchise. However, the process wasn’t as simple as Antetokounmpo just saying ‘okay’ and the discussions positively ending there. A stunning revelation by ESPN suggests that the Greek Freak has been having his reservations over the summer.

Notably, Shams Charania detailed how Bucks GM Jon Horst travelled 6,000 miles to Athens. This was after they signed Myles Turner without consulting their ace beforehand. Notably, they had also not done it when acquiring Damian Lillard from the Trail Blazers back in 2023. The Bucks GM, however, had a strong belief in the roster he had created around Giannis Antetokounmpo, believing in his own process. But the former Finals MVP didn’t feel the same way.

“Antetokounmpo aired his concerns about whether this team could truly achieve championship contention, and he wanted to explore whether there would be an alternative path forward for both the team and player,” Charania reported on ESPN. As a Bucks fan, you wish the story ended there, but it did not.

The New York Knicks came calling.

“Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks. The Bucks picked up the Knicks’ call on Antetokounmpo, and the sides engaged in conversations for a window of time in August, league sources said, but the teams never got traction on a deal,” Charania wrote.

Leon Rose has had a dream of bringing the Greek Freak to NY. Since 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo has reportedly considered the Knicks as his only possible destination if he were to move.

On the other hand, though, the Knicks didn’t think Milwaukee was ever serious about selling Antetokounmpo. Moreover, they didn’t have sufficient draft capital or player assets to make an irresistible offer either.

Eventually, late in August, the Bucks agreed to bring back Thanasis Antetokounmpo, gaining an advantage in winning over the Greek Freak’s loyalty. And that is exactly what has happened…

But don’t get it wrong. Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Wisconsin now, but his mind could still change depending on how the season goes.

Why could Giannis Antetokounmpo still want to leave the Bucks?

The drama looks like it’s over. But is it really done? Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Milwaukee, ready to take on another season. Still, the execs around the league continue to monitor his situation. The truth is, it won’t be over until the Bucks can help him expand his legacy. To the dominant forward, what really counts is how much silverware can be won by the end of his career.

“I just want more. I want to win another championship. I want to win another medal for the national team. Legacy is very important for me. … You got to play to win. I don’t play to be around and get paid,” Antetokounmpo recently said.

So, what the Bucks need is to align with their 30-year-old ace’s desires.

Aside from Turner and Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee side doesn’t have a high-profile star on its roster. They do have talent, and with the Greek Freak’s limitless potential, they believe they can capture the East. Charania’s latest report on Horst’s thought process precisely affirms this.

In reality, the East has been damaged with injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum. Despite that, the Bucks aren’t the favorites.

That’s how low the bar is.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player in NBA history to have averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 60% from the floor for two consecutive seasons.

Still, the Milwaukee Bucks haven’t won a playoff series.

For now, Giannis Antetokounmpo is giving the team peace and still wants them to develop into a stronger unit. For those reasons, he hasn’t applied any pressure on the Bucks yet. All he wants is to win one playoff series as the very first step, which will revive his belief in the team that drafted him. However, if it’s another disturbing campaign, these same conversations could not just spark but cause an absolute wildfire in the middle of the season.

The Knicks will be ready to leap when that time comes. Mark my words.