The Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently stated he is “locked in” and focused on competing for a championship with his current team, but as rumors take shape, the New York Knicks remain a viable option for the Bucks star. Amid this uncertainty, a significant family moment unfolded for the Antetokounmpo family, potentially blocking any attempt by Giannis to step out of Milwaukee.

In a move that appears strategically timed, the Bucks have made a historic addition to their roster. According to a report from Shams Charania, “The Milwaukee Bucks are signing Alex Antetokounmpo to a two-way NBA deal, joining older brothers Giannis and Thanasis. This marks the first time in NBA history that three brothers are on active roster contracts with the same team.” The team waived guard Jamaree Bouyea to create the necessary roster spot.

This signing aligns with a long-stated personal goal for Giannis. Back in 2020, he openly expressed his desire to unite with his siblings on the court, saying, “I want to play with my brothers in Milwaukee, L.A., wherever – that’d be awesome.” The Bucks had already maintained Thanasis on the roster, with Giannis previously praising his value, stating, “I love that Thanasis is on the team… He’s such an incredible leader. People don’t understand how valuable he is to our team.”

Earlier this offseason, the New York Knicks emerged as the only team Giannis expressed interest in joining if a trade were to occur. Discussions between the Bucks and Knicks took place in August, but they never gained serious traction. The Knicks believed Milwaukee lacked motivation to deal their star, while Bucks sources felt New York’s offer was not compelling enough. Giannis is reportedly impressed by the idea of winning a championship in New York, but reportedly the Knicks’ trade assets are limited.

ESPN reported that if Giannis’s situation reopens, the interest would expand beyond just the Knicks, with his representatives already evaluating potential destinations. Analyst Shams Charania noted the quarter-mark of the season as a crucial timeline, suggesting 20 to 25 games could determine Giannis’s long-term future.​

When asked about his feelings heading into the season, Giannis showed his commitment but kept the door open, stating: “It doesn’t matter what I feel? I’ll be honest with you. Uh 22 of October uh I’ll be out there dressed ready to go. So it doesn’t really matter how I feel. Even if I feel good, even if I feel bad, what matters is 82 ahead of us and um best ability is availability.” Giannis has been vocal about his ultimate priority. “I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” he said at media day.

By bringing Alex into the fold, the Bucks have now gathered three Antetokounmpo brothers in one locker room. Alex, 24, previously played for the Bucks’ G-League affiliate Wisconsin Herd and most recently competed in Europe. This unprecedented family reunion on an NBA roster serves as a powerful sentimental gesture as the organization seeks to solidify Giannis’s commitment to Milwaukee. Moreover, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo identifying the New York Knicks as his preferred trade destination, a major obstacle stands in the way of a potential blockbuster deal.

Why the Knicks couldn’t materialize the Antetokounmpo trade

The core of the issue lies with the Knicks’ most expensive contracts. Karl-Anthony Towns is on a deal worth $220.4 million over four years, while OG Anunoby commands a $212.5 million commitment over five years. These massive salaries have pushed the Knicks approximately $68.6 million over the salary cap for the 2025-26 season, creating negative practical cap space.

This financial reality was highlighted by analyst Ariel Helwani, who stated, “The problem is I don’t see the path to getting there. Before the Bridges trade, I saw a path.” The Knicks previously traded five unprotected first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges, severely depleting their future draft capital. They followed this by trading for Towns, using their last meaningful draft asset.

Even if the Knicks attempted to package players for Antetokounmpo, the financial mechanics become incredibly complex. To match Giannis’ projected $54 million salary for the 2025-26 season, New York would likely need to trade both Towns and Anunoby. However, the Bucks would have little interest in taking back such large contracts if they were to enter a rebuilding phase by trading their franchise player.

The Knicks’ current head coach, Mike Brown, appears focused on the roster he has rather than pursuing another superstar. After team practice, Brown said, “We’re in a great spot right now. Our guys have been playing their tails off… I love our guys and I think they’re starting to enjoy playing the way we’re trying to play on both ends.” This suggests the organization may be content with their current construction after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season.