Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo raised concerns about Bucks’ title hopes, eyed Knicks as option

Giannis Antetokounmpo may be entering the most pivotal stretch of his Milwaukee tenure.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Bucks star met with GM Jon Horst and agent Giorgos Panou in Athens in July, where he expressed concern about the team’s ability to contend for another championship.

League sources told Charania that Milwaukee feared the meeting might end with a formal trade request.

Antetokounmpo never asked out, but for the first time, he and his representatives “truly initiated the pursuit of his best external options.” The one team that emerged from those discussions: the Knicks.

Milwaukee and New York had exploratory conversations in August, per ESPN, though talks never gained traction.

The Bucks made it clear they weren’t eager to move their two-time MVP, while the Knicks lacked the draft assets to mount a serious push.

Antetokounmpo could have shut the door on speculation at media day. Instead, he acknowledged weighing his options and reiterated that his priority is winning another title.

The 2025-26 season is widely viewed as “make or break” for Milwaukee. If the Bucks stumble early, expect the whispers to get a lot louder.