According to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the New York Knicks are reportedly keeping tabs on the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo wanting to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. Although the Knicks are currently focused on their second-round playoff opponent, the Miami Heat, Windhorst claims that 3 percent of their attention is on the Bucks and Giannis. He clarified that there is currently no indication that the two-time NBA MVP wants to leave Milwaukee, but if he doesn't extend, it could be a red flag for the organization.
The Milwaukee Bucks, the top seed, were unexpectedly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the No. 8 seed Heat. Consequently, the organization fired head coach Mike Budenholzer two years after he led the team to a championship. Although there were speculations about Giannis wanting to leave Milwaukee before, he signed a five-year, $228.2 million max extension in 2020.
Despite being under contract through at least the 2024-25 season, Giannis can become a free agent in 2025 if he declines his player option. The 28-year-old is one of the top players in the league, with seven All-Star selections, two NBA MVP awards, one NBA championship, and one NBA Finals MVP award. He has been a dominant force in the game for several seasons and had one of the best statistical seasons of his career in 2022-23.
The Knicks are back in the playoffs this year after missing out in 2022, thanks in large part to the arrival of free-agent signee Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle's resurgence. After defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, the team is currently tied 1-1 in their second-round series against the Miami Heat. While the Knicks have a lot of developing talent on their roster, acquiring a player of Giannis's caliber could speed up their championship aspirations.
The Knicks have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and have not won a championship since 1973, indicating a level of desperation to return to title contention. While trading for Giannis would likely cost the Knicks a lot of quality assets, landing a player of his caliber is a rare opportunity. The team has previously tried and failed to sign other big-name stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. If Giannis decides to leave Milwaukee, the Knicks would likely be at the forefront of teams trying to secure him.
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