Rumors and discussions about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future have been ongoing since last summer.
Those rumors gained even more buzz as the Milwaukee Bucks and Antetokounmpo found themselves at odds publicly on several occasions.
NBA Insiders Report Strong Belief Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Be Moved Before Draft Night
Antetokounmpo still has one guaranteed season remaining on his current deal with Milwaukee, excluding any player or team options.
In their latest report for The Stein Line, NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported the latest on the growing speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future.
“Virtually every team we consult says pretty much the same thing now: There really is a growing expectation throughout the NBA that the Bucks intend to trade their Face of the Franchise before the two-day NBA Draft begins on June 23,” the Substack report says.
“To get even more specific: The Bucks have been operating in advance of this draft as though they will have at least one additional first-round pick by the time it begins in addition to their No. 10 overall selection.”
Meanwhile, there is a growing belief that the Bucks may delay finalizing any deal until the end of the NBA Finals. The current series between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks stands at 2-1.
“Also: There is an increasing belief leaguewide that they would prefer to wait until after the NBA Finals before completing a deal to see if the Knicks end up squandering a 2-0 series lead,” Stein wrote. “Might the Knicks then decide to re-enter the Giannis Trade Sweepstakes in response to the disappointment of letting the title slip away?”
NBA insider Chris Haynes also recently said that the Knicks could be “in play” for Antetokounmpo if they end up losing to the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Another insider, Jake Fischer, also revealed this week that multiple league sources told him Milwaukee could revisit discussions with New York if the franchise moves closer to trading Antetokounmpo.
“They’re calling New York back, and they’re saying: ‘Are you sure you don’t wanna put Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade for Giannis?’” Fischer reported.
New York was among the teams most frequently linked to the former MVP during last offseason’s trade rumors, and so it’s not surprising. A blockbuster move for the Bucks superstar would undoubtedly strengthen the Knicks’ championship aspirations heading into next season.
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Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith even floated the possibility of the Knicks parting with both Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to acquire a healthy Antetokounmpo if New York loses in the Finals.
If the Knicks seriously pursue Antetokounmpo, it could dramatically change the scenario of the sweepstakes and challenge the Miami Heat’s status as the perceived frontrunner to land the former MVP.