As the February 5 deadline approaches, rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name are beginning to intensify. After a long tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, the forward reportedly “was ready for his new home,” as per an update from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
However, the teams that have made the most noise for the Greek Freak, who is currently on a 3-year, $175 million deal and will be eligible for a max extension after this season, are the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks.
What can the Warriors offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The Warriors are desperate for a trade, with Jonathan Kuminga wanting a switch and Jimmy Butler’s season-ending injury. Steph Curry and his alleged last season are at risk, and there is nobody better than the Bucks forward in the trade market.
Giannis has shown appreciation for Curry in the past and might love to team up with him to make the title run immediately. However, the management lacks immediate lottery picks or multiple talented youngsters to offer a deal. Butler’s value is questionable, as he is out of the season, but is almost certain to be featured in the package.
Even then, the team would need to club it with Jonathan Kuminga and other pieces to make it worth the Bucks forward, who is already on an expiring contract. The Bucks might be enticed by a lottery pick in the stacked 2026 off-season, which may steer them to teams like the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, or Detroit Pistons.
Can the Knicks interest the Bucks with a deal?
The New York Knicks are another contender in the Giannis race, who also have a history with the two-time MVP. He was interested in moving to New York for his next stint in the 2025 offseason, before it went cold, and he expressed his willingness to stay in Milwaukee.
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The Knicks can build on that context and pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo; however, they have nothing more than Giannis’ interest at this point. They have already traded their recent lottery picks for Mikal Bridges earlier.
Moreover, Karl-Anthony Towns’ 4-year, $220 million deal with a player option might be too much, looking at his production this season. Even though he is an All-Star caliber player, he is averaging the lowest points since his rookie season (20.2). With Jalen Brunson out of bounds, the Knicks front office will almost certainly have to add OG Anunoby’s contract or Josh Hart to the deal to make it marketable.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have also come up as another suitor for Giannis. The Bucks can decide to trade him before February 5 or in the off-season. Currently, he is out of the rotation due to a calf injury and feels it will take four to five weeks. Before being sidelined, he highlighted several issues with the team chemistry and pointed out “selfish” plays.
Earlier, Giannis even claimed that he would never ask the team for a trade, as he planned to remain in Milwaukee for the rest of his career. However, things change pretty quickly in the NBA, and the Greek Freak has now experienced it firsthand.
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