The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks reportedly held talks this summer about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal, but they never went anywhere. Reports suggest Milwaukee wasn’t really motivated and New York never put a strong package on the table.
For now, Giannis is starting the season in Milwaukee, but his interest in New York, along with the stalled trade talks, remains part of the backdrop. If things go wrong in Milwaukee, momentum could shift toward the Knicks.
Even so, Milwaukee holds the final say. They will not give up Antetokounmpo for anything less than a blockbuster return. In that scenario, one proposal from Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey envisioned Jalen Brunson moving to the Bucks, with the Houston Rockets joining as a third team to make the deal work.
Bucks Receive: Fred VanVleet, Josh Hart, Reed Sheppard, a 2028 first-round pick from Houston, a 2030 first-round pick from Houston and four second-round picks from New York
Knicks Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rockets Receive: Jalen Brunson
“The deal would leave New York awfully thin in the backcourt, but point Giannis would help on that front. And surrounding him with shooting and length from KAT, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby would make the Knicks attack a nightmare.
The Bucks, meanwhile, would get a better upside play in Reed Sheppard than either of the previous deals provide. It still gives Milwaukee a fair bit of draft assets. And although Fred VanVleet will miss this entire season recovering from a torn ACL, he and Josh Hart could hold some trade value before their contracts end in 2027 (Hart is under contract for 2027-28, but it’s a team option).
Finally, the play for Houston here is pretty obvious. In the wake of VanVleet’s injury, leaning into youth and giving Sheppard and Amen Thompson more point guard reps would make sense. But Kevin Durant is 37 years old.”
