News - Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to play for the New York Knicks if he leaves the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Giannis Antetokounmpo desires to play for the New York Knicks if he leaves the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks and Knicks discussed a trade for Antetokounmpo before the season. “It's true: There’s a strong belief leaguewide that Antetokounmpo desires one destination above all the rest in the event that he actually does fully ask out someday,” Fischer wrote. “New York. After some further calls, I can confirm that the Knicks — as well as playing in Madison Square Garden — were the specific ‘temptation’ that Giannis himself publicly acknowledged on Bucks Media Day as an outcome he pondered during the summer. “I’ve even heard that the rowdy fanbase gatherings outside the arena following playoff victories that the Knicks are known for have resonated given his natural fondness for the emotionally charged support so prevalent for basketball and soccer clubs throughout Europe. The wait for a championship at MSG, of course, has now stretched longer than Milwaukee’s own 50-year title drought that the Antetokounmpo-led Bucks brought to a halt in July 2021.” The Knicks made the conference finals last season for the first time since 2000. Meanwhile, the Bucks have lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. Milwaukee won the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns but has won only one playoff series since then. Antetokounmpo is tired of losing and wants to compete for a championship again. A top 75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The superstar forward doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. The Knicks will have to part ways with Karl-Anthony Towns to acquire Antetokounmpo. A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season while shooting 63.9% from the field and 63.5% from the free-throw line. He’s currently out with a right calf strain.