“I want to be in a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship.” This mantra has been the guiding light for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and it’s one he’s been following faithfully. Joining the Bucks gave him that opportunity, culminating in a championship in 2021. Considering that, it would’ve seemed like a no-brainer for the Greek Freak to continue in Milwaukee if he wanted to add another ring to his collection. But reality turned upside down.

Looking at recent seasons, the Bucks’ championship prospects haven’t looked too promising—last season marked the third straight year they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. As rumors swirl, the Knicks could be his next stop. But the question remains: what’s stopping him?

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins explained the real reason behind Giannis Antetokounmpo not moving out of the Bucks on the Road Trippin’ show. “Every offseason, they are aggressive. Every trade deadline, they’re aggressive. They’re making moves to try to bring in pieces. But here’s the problem. Giannis got to grow a set. He got to grow a set. He has to grow some b—-. He don’t want to be there. He’s scared to say it. The Bucks know that he don’t want to be there. The Bucks know this, but they are in denial,” Big Perk explained.

According to him, bringing in Giannis’ brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, on a one-year deal was an act of “desperation” to keep Giannis on the team.

The chatter around Giannis heated up when he missed the September 29th Media Day, though it was only because he tested positive for COVID-19. However, Kendrick Perkins added some context, saying Giannis was trying to handle things “privately” and that there was chaos within the Bucks’ front office itself.

“He basically called the General Manager somewhat a liar in some form, right? When he said, ‘Oh yeah, Giannis and I, we had a conversation this offseason at at lunch or breakfast or whatever’ and Giannis comes on and he like, ‘I don’t remember that meeting,'” Big Perk explained with a baffling expression.

It seemed like Giannis was being cautious about what he revealed publicly, considering the red-hot media attention he’s been receiving lately. Big Perk thinks this means, “Giannis is looking, he’s looking around the league.”

“Then all of a sudden you see the reports. Oh, Giannis’ family is not in Milwaukee. They’ve moved to (Greece). Yeah… Giannis is a family man. Giannis’ family usually be with him in those times. So all this is the writing on the wall. I just think the Bucks need to f—— end the relationship,” the ESPN analyst concluded.

But the Bucks clearly aren’t ready to give up just yet. They’ve been busy reshaping their roster to keep their ace happy. This offseason saw Damian Lillard and longtime teammates like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Pat Connaughton all move on.

In their place, the Milwaukee Bucks brought in names like Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr. (re-signing), Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, and Amir Coffey, all part of GM Jon Horst and Doc Rivers’ latest effort to rebuild a roster good enough to chase another title around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

And maybe that’s precisely why Giannis seems a bit skeptical about all the changes, and maybe, just maybe, Big Perk has a point. For now, though, Giannis is staying put in Milwaukee, not heading to the Knicks as many rumors strongly suggested.

Speaking to The Athletic, the Greek Freak made his stance crystal clear, saying, “But yeah, I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here. I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go and it’s definitely going to be hard. We’re going to take it day-by-day, but I’m here.”

Honestly, his numbers last season back that belief up — Giannis averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting a solid 60.1% from the field. However, let’s play devil’s advocate and consider some trade scenarios.

Wild trade scenarios that could bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to New York

Now, while Giannis might’ve said he’s all “locked in” with the Bucks for this season, he hasn’t exactly shut the door on the Knicks either. In his own words, “Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want.”

Fair point. So, it’s safe to say we can’t completely rule out a Knicks move just yet. In fact, Shams Charania initially reported that the Knicks were the only team the hoopster seriously considered outside of Milwaukee this offseason, but the deal never came together. 

But if the deal were to happen, how would it be executed?

Bleacher Report painted three wild trade scenarios that could make this dream a reality.

The simplest one? A straight swap where the Knicks send Karl-Anthony Towns, a young piece, and a pile of draft picks and swaps to Milwaukee.

The second setup drags in a third team, the Bulls. In this, KAT lands in Chicago, and the Bucks walk away with Nikola Vučević, Zach Collins, a few young NBA prospects, and a healthy stack of future picks. The Knicks still get Giannis, but the Bucks steadily load up for a rebuild. 

And then there’s the wildest pitch: the Brunson deal. It’d send Jalen Brunson to Houston, bringing Fred VanVleet, Josh Hart, Reed Sheppard, and more picks to Milwaukee. It’s unlikely, but if it ever happened, Giannis, KAT, Bridges, and Anunoby in New York would instantly make them title favorites.

But for now, Giannis Antetokounmpo is wearing that #34 jersey.