Report: Knicks would be in mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Nets fade from picture

The Bucks briefly checked the landscape on a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade over the summer, and the only team they spoke with was the Knicks.

The star forward had reportedly shown some interest in the idea of playing in New York, which kept the rumor mill buzzing.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line wrote that the Nets have long believed they could be serious players if Giannis ever hit the trade block. That belief has cooled.

While the Knicks are still viewed as a credible threat, Fischer said Brooklyn is no longer being discussed in the same tier.

The Nets are chasing a high pick in the 2026 draft with the hope of landing a young franchise cornerstone.

They also do not have the type of championship-ready roster Antetokounmpo would want if he ever asked out. The Knicks are in a better position on that front.

They have a roster that could contend with Antetokounmpo, but the question is whether they can put together the kind of package that would sway Milwaukee.

For what it’s worth, Fischer wrote that multiple sources told him Antetokounmpo mentioned to at least one Bucks teammate that he thought a deal with the Knicks was close during the offseason.

Other reports have suggested the two sides never gained real traction.

The feeling around the league is the same. If Antetokounmpo ever pushes for a change, New York sits near the front of the line. Brooklyn no longer does.