Giannis Antetokounmpo has heard the rumors linking him to New York, but for now, the two-time MVP says his focus remains squarely on Milwaukee.
This week, the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks held trade discussions involving Antetokounmpo over the summer, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The Knicks were said to be the only other team Giannis would consider joining, setting off a wave of speculation about his future.
When asked about the report on Wednesday, Antetokounmpo didn’t deny the Knicks connection directly, but made it clear where his head is at ahead of the 2025-26 season.
“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,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “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. … I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me.”
The 30-year-old did, however, leave a small window open regarding his future.
“Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind I think that’s human too,” he said. “You’re allowed to make any decision you want, but I’m locked in. I’m locked into this team. I’m locked into these guys, to this group and to this coaching staff and to myself.”
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers also pushed back on the idea that Milwaukee ever explored trading their franchise cornerstone.
“At the end of the day, there’s nothing we can do about it,” Rivers told reporters, calling the report “unbelievable.”
Doc added, “I can tell you [general manager Jon Horst] has never called a team about Giannis. That has never happened. And until that happens, you really don’t have a story.”
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