Giannis Thread - 13th Season with the Bucks

[RRyder823]

It is interesting the Knicks are the only reported team Giannis considered.

Maybe that changes moving forward.

But as it stands he’d need a slam dunk situation also who the Bucks would play ball with…and the Knicks only have one first-round pick and three pick swaps to deal at the moment:

Ever since the NBA draft combine in mid-May, Alex Saratsis, an Octagon managing director and Antetokounmpo's U.S.-based representative, has fielded rampant interest in Antetokounmpo and conducted serious due diligence on best possible outside fits should the star and his reps push to be traded from the Bucks. Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation told ESPN.

The Bucks picked up the Knicks' call on Antetokounmpo, and the sides engaged in conversations for a window of time in August, league sources said, but the teams never got traction on a deal.

The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo, but those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to continue even discussing a trade, league sources said. It's unclear how the Bucks would have responded to an all-out chase by the Knicks. The multiweek process was described by one source with direct knowledge of the talks as an exclusive negotiating window. New York, for its part, believes the Bucks never were serious about entertaining an Antetokounmpo trade, sources said.

The Knicks have had an eye on Antetokounmpo for the past couple of years under president Leon Rose, who heads a front office that built the franchise into a perennial playoff contender since taking over in 2020. People in league circles, including some in New York, have believed since 2024 that Antetokounmpo would eventually want to come to the Knicks if he ever explored a trade.

This offseason marked the first time that Antetokounmpo truly initiated the pursuit of his best external options, and he had discussions with the Bucks that ultimately led to the conversations between the franchise and the Knicks. Fast-forward months now, and he'll be paying close attention not only to how the Bucks perform to start the season but also to the landscape of the rest of the league.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46510104/why-giannis-antetokounmpo-future-milwaukee-far-settled

Im more or less starting to wonder what actual new news is in this article?

We knew Giannis took some time to think about his future

We knew the Kincks were interested

We knew the Knicks had called up the Bucks (id imagine more teams then just the Knicks)

We knew the Bucks werent interested in trading him

We knew the Knicks knew the Bucks weren't interested in trading him

So what exactly in this article is new that's causing a fuss? This entire article is Shams simply regurgitating the same **** hes said for months.

And I mean damn near litterally. All the way down to "He'll be paying close attention to how the Bucks do"

Unless im missing something actually groundbreaking this is about as close to a copy/paste job from his previous "reports" as your gonna see

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[MickeyDavis]

GM's receive a plethora of calls from other GM's. Virtually every player is discussed at some point. Kicking the tires. The Knicks aren't the first and won't be the last. And Horst "taking their call" is what a GM should do.

I'm not going to sweat it or analyze/overanalyze every little thing. That's pointless. I'll just continue to enjoy watching Giannis until he's no longer a Buck. And then I'll continue to root for whoever is on my team.

[Ron Swanson]

We can still rightfully call Shams a clown with zero credibility (he is, he’s been doing this crap for years), but this is finally something that we as Bucks fans can’t simply hand wave away. If they (Giannis and his agent), don’t outright come out and deny (specifically the part about the Knicks), then this is just super weird and not a good look for anyone.

Think everyone knows that this was always gonna be a “let’s wait and see” year with him and the franchise, but with how far this team appears from winning a championship, ain’t looking good if his entire focus is on winning another chip “asap”.

[RRyder823]

We can still rightfully call Shams a clown with zero credibility (he is, he’s been doing this crap for years), but this is finally something that we as Bucks fans can’t simply hand wave away. If they (Giannis and his agent), don’t outright come out and deny (specifically the part about the Knicks), then this is just super weird and not a good look for anyone.

Think everyone knows that this was always gonna be a “let’s wait and see” year with him and the franchise, but with how far this team appears from winning a championship, ain’t looking good if his entire focus is on winning another chip “asap”.

Not that I wouldnt like for Giannis to just outright come out and put the rumors to bed but ill ask why we cant hand wave it away when we knew all this information yesterday and had hand waved it away?

Like what is actually new in that article that changes anything from yesterday to today?

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[paulpressey25]

Like what is actually new in that article that changes anything from yesterday to today?

You have to add in Mariah moving to Greece with the kids to get the full context. As I said when Porschla Kidd left Fox Point for LA, if Momma isn’t happy, no one is happy.

And Giannis knows that if he asks out, he does NOT want his wife and kids to be living in Milwaukee and subjected to a small handful of angry fans and angry sports talk shows going 24/7 on the topic. Getting the wife and kids out to a neutral place ahead of time is a smart move.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I mean, If we suck this probably becomes more and more real.

Just don't suck.

That's basically where I am at. If we are the 8th seed in February, both Giannis and the Bucks front office probably throw up their arms and say "well, we tried". And that's fine.

But it is all in the details. If Giannis tries his hardest and it just doesn't work. Time to move on. If he starts the season sulking and we suck, yeah his legacy will be hurt and not the Jesus-like NBA player I have worshipped for a decade.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I mean, for anyone thinking “if we’re not contenders this year he’s gone” then it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind cuz that sounds like 100% cope.

Depends what you count as a contender. Like I considered us a 'contender' last year as a five seed. If we are an 8th seed and getting our ass kicked by any decent team, what would you do as either Giannis or the Front Office at that point?

(I think we are a top 4 seed next year and with Giannis healthy in the playoffs/trade at the deadline, we will be in the mix)

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

ESPN getting back to the basics.

Read on Twitter

I'm guessing we're going to keep seeing/hearing this heavily to start the year. Really odd timing for this to all get leaked now and does nobody any favors. I love Giannis, but this is partially on him for letting it get this distracting. For someone who says they don't like the drama...

I have zero idea what Giannis wants, but what is he supposed to say. If he keeps saying every week "I'm never leaving Milwaukee" 1. It changes the leverage for the bucks 2. Changes the leverage for giannis on the Bucks, 3. He might not know for sure and doesn't want to be a hypocrite. Does he want to stay here for years if we decline to a playin team?

He could shout from the roof tops that he is never leaving Milwaukee and it would make us feel better as fans, but doesn't mean it's true or the best thing to do.

[paulpressey25]

Sengun, Jabari Smith, Reed Shepherd and the 2027 Nets pick swap, 2027 Suns pick and three unprotected Houston future firsts.

Shepherd not essential to the deal if Houston is short on guards and we don’t send them Dairy and/or Rollins. Then drop us that Mav’s/Phoenix swap thing they have in 2029.

[Matches Malone]

ESPN getting back to the basics.

Read on Twitter

I'm guessing we're going to keep seeing/hearing this heavily to start the year. Really odd timing for this to all get leaked now and does nobody any favors. I love Giannis, but this is partially on him for letting it get this distracting. For someone who says they don't like the drama...

I have zero idea what Giannis wants, but what is he supposed to say. If he keeps saying every week "I'm never leaving Milwaukee" 1. It changes the leverage for the bucks 2. Changes the leverage for giannis on the Bucks, 3. He might not know for sure and doesn't want to be a hypocrite. Does he want to stay here for years if we decline to a playin team?

He could shout from the roof tops that he is never leaving Milwaukee and it would make us feel better as fans, but doesn't mean it's true or the best thing to do.

I'm not expecting him to come out and say anything definitive. But from the little he has said on it over the last few years, he already kind of flip-flops when the topic is brought up. One minute he's giving an interview in Greece about bringing the Bucks back to the finals, and the next he's acknowledging he's thought about other destinations this offseason and is more serious about looking elsewhere to win and secure his legacy (Which Shams then runs with and probably exaggerates what happens). Like you said, he might not know what he wants and doesn't want to be a hypocrite, but at some point, I hope he makes a decision. I don't think the year-to-year plan and constantly putting pressure on the organization is the right way to go about this and I think could cause more issues. Front office can make way more mistakes if they feel like they are on borrowed time walking on eggshells to build the roster up.

Personally, I'm just over it all. I just want to follow my team and enjoy basketball without every story line and how the team is covered going back to will he won't he leave. Exhausting.

[Chad34]

I’ve been a Giannis fan from the beginning and have been sensing the vibes with Giannis feel off. He seems to be changing, I’m surprised he stayed as humble as he has for as long as he has, but he seems to becoming more Americanized and self centered. The thing I’ve admired most about him was his humility and integrity. I was always willing to root for him still if he left the Bucks, but if he stoops to playing dirty tricks to force his way out, don’t know if I ever could. Seems like the writing is on the wall. He needs to come out and just be honest IMO, I could respect that a lot easier than playing dishonest games.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Giannis has been one of the most low-key super stars. He's never been in trouble, a good family man, and has been loyal. All this despite having zero connections to this current team, front office, etc. if he's exhausting, I don't know what super star isn't.

[soxperry]

Stephen A says, "Im moving everyone but Brunson for Giannis."

Hey guess what, Stephen, and league fans in general... if you dont have great draft picks, you are giving up your best player for Giannis. Plain and simple. We're going to be taking other players too. You dont like that? No trade then. Good luck.

[Chad34]

Does Giannis feel betrayed by the Bucks somehow, did they start trade talks on their own?

[Ron Swanson]

Horst better have his best Kuzma plus Bobby and multiple swaps/firsts trade package ready to pull the trigger on at the trade deadline, because outside of this team miraculously starting 30-13 or something, can’t see any other way you’re gonna convince him we have any sort of realistic shot at winning a championship this season.

[Dick Tate]

GM's receive a plethora of calls from other GM's. Virtually every player is discussed at some point. Kicking the tires. The Knicks aren't the first and won't be the last. And Horst "taking their call" is what a GM should do.

Can’t label a “multi-week” “exclusive negotiating window” as just “taking their call.”

[Matches Malone]

Giannis has been one of the most low-key super stars. He's never been in trouble, a good family man, and has been loyal. All this despite having zero connections to this current team, front office, etc. if he's exhausting, I don't know what super star isn't.

The situation is exhausting. Most superstars don't have the same thing going on for 7+ years of rumors. I understand you want to stick up for him but you don't need to turn what I said into some Giannis bashing and like people don't appreciate what he's done here.

[FAH1223]

Houston or OKC are the best bets for a trade.

The East is wide open. Obviously Cleveland and New York have the best rosters.

But Giannis is the best player in the conference.

I think he will carry the Bucks to the postseason.

Does he have a 2018 LeBron type run in him?

[tonyreyes123]

Giannis can go already. This is like when you know your GF is flirting with other guys but you keep simping in denial

[humanrefutation]

ESPN getting back to the basics.

Read on Twitter

I'm guessing we're going to keep seeing/hearing this heavily to start the year. Really odd timing for this to all get leaked now and does nobody any favors. I love Giannis, but this is partially on him for letting it get this distracting. For someone who says they don't like the drama...

I actually think Giannis is too honest for his own good. It would be very easy for him to just lie to the media and say "I'm never leaving Milwaukee!" while telling Horst, behind the scenes, to make the call. But he's honest. He won't slam the door because, in his mind, he's prepared for the possibility if things get bad this year, and he doesn't want to be accused of misleading everyone about his intentions.