Spurs, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets linked to Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Giannis Antetokounmpo watch is officially heating up and the Knicks and Spurs are preparing to pounce.

League sources told DallasHoopsJournal’s Ashish Mathur that New York and San Antonio are expected to aggressively pursue an Antetokounmpo trade if the Bucks open the door. Several rival executives told Hoops Wire that the Thunder and Rockets could join the chase as well.

The Knicks already tested the waters. Milwaukee and New York discussed an Antetokounmpo deal before the season and reports say he is very interested in playing at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks sit at 13-7 and believe they are a star away from winning the East for the first time since the 1990s.

San Antonio has been circling too. One source told Mathur that the Spurs stayed out of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes in order to save assets for Antetokounmpo.

The Spurs can offer a mountain of draft capital and young players such as Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.

The Thunder and Rockets also have the assets, while the Knicks would need to get remarkably creative with the salary cap.

Antetokounmpo remains one of the biggest difference-makers in the sport. He led Milwaukee to the 2021 championship, has two MVPs, a Finals MVP and a DPOY, and recently became the sixth-youngest player in league history to reach 21,000 points. Only LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Durant and Michael Jordan got there younger.

But frustrations are building. The Bucks are 9-13, have dropped eight of nine and sit in eleventh place. Sources say Antetokounmpo has grown irritated with the losing streak.

He is making $54.1 million this season and has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. There is no no-trade clause. That part matters.

All of that said, the Bucks will not move him unless he asks out again. The suitors are lining up in case he does.