Giannis Antetokounmpo may get traded eventually, but it won’t be before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
The Bucks have told teams they are keeping the two-time MVP and will make other trades, according to ESPN.
The Knicks had been linked with Antetokounmpo since the offseason, when ESPN reported he informed the Bucks of his desire to be moved to New York.
He repeatedly tried to downplay his intent on leaving the Bucks, but trade rumors intensified with the Bucks’ season spiraling.
And last week, ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo informed the team he is ready for a new home.
So the Antetokounmpo saga takes a pause until the offseason.
Despite some injury concerns recently, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo — who led the Bucks to a championship in the 2020-21 season — is still an elite superstar. Averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds per game this year, he remains one of the premier two-way talents in the NBA.
After the Knicks traded five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges ahead of last season, the Knicks lacked much draft capital to include in a package.
Antetokounmpo could have evened the playing field for the Knicks if he demanded to be traded there — evidently, that did not happen.
After reaching the conference finals last year, the Knicks kept their core intact — with the hope that a change at head coach from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown would be what put them over the edge for their title aspirations.
Adding Antetokounmpo would have changed that dynamic. But the Greek Freak dream has ended — for now.
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