RealGM Basketball Wiretap

09 December 2025

• Knicks Will Not Have Exclusive Negotiating Window For Giannis Antetokounmpo In Trade Talks

  Over the summer, the Milwaukee Bucks gave the New York Knicks an exclusive negotiating window to talk Giannis Antetokounmpo trades. Antetokounmpo had made it known that he preferred to play for the Knicks if traded. Those talks ultimately broke down, despite New York making offers for Antetokounmpo.

  If Antetokounmpo asks for a trade in-season, the Knicks will no longer have an exclusive negotiating window. Even if superstar big man prefers New York, the Bucks will engage the entire NBA in trade talks for Antetokounmpo.

  "The writing is on the wall," one source said of the Bucks future with Antetokounmpo.

  Milwaukee has minimal means left to improve the roster around their star player. The Bucks have just one tradable first-round pick, and don't have much young talent to offer in packages to upgrade their rotation.

• 'Strong Belief' Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants To Go To Knicks If He Gets Traded

  There is a "strong belief" that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to go to the New York Knicks over any other team should if get traded from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  It was reported earlier this week that Antetokounmpo told at least one teammate over the summer that he was close to getting traded to the Knicks.

  Rival teams are still reportedly waiting for a clear signal from the Bucks that they are willing to part ways with Antetokounmpo.

  Executives around the league also believe that Antetokounmpo would be looking to join a team capable of competing for a championship.

  Antetokounmpo currently has a player option for the 2027-28 season. He is expected to use assurances of extending his contract as leverage to dictate potential landing spots should trade discussions begin.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Focused On Getting Healthy, 'Not Running From A Situation'

  Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to get healthy and "make things work" with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Chris Haynes.

  "He spoke to me about just being where his feet are planted...that is where his focus is at," said Haynes about a recent conversation with Antetokounmpo.

  Haynes then recounted a story that Antetokounmpo told years earlier about how when he sees a wall, he wants "to run through the wall, and make things work."

  "That's my focus right now. I want to run through a wall, make things work, get healthy, and try to be there for my team," recalled Haynes about what Antetokounmpo told him.

  Haynes then added that Antetokounmpo doesn't know what the Bucks' plans are for this future.

  "He doesn't know what's going on behind the scenes with the front office, or what they're looking at doing as far as his future goes... his focus is getting healthy, being there for his team, and not running from a situation," added Haynes.

  Antetokounmpo and his agent opened up discussions over his future with the Bucks earlier this week.

  Antetokounmpo is likely to miss close to four weeks with a calf strain.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo To Be Out Closer To 4 Weeks With Calf Strain

  Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss closer to four weeks due to a calf strain, according to Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers.

  Antetokounmpo was initially thought to be out for 2-4 weeks, though Rivers preached a cautious approach.

  "I feel like we should learn is with calves -- make sure they're healthy," Rivers said on Friday. "So that may take longer than we want. That even may make Giannis frustrated over it, but we just got to try to get that right."

  Rivers added that Antetokounpo was eager to get back to the court after talking to him on Thursday.

  "When Giannis gets injured, he'll give you his own date. You literally just, you hear it, but you don't hear it because to him it's always, I'll be back in a week, or I'll be back sooner," said Rivers.

  The Bucks play seven games over the next three weeks.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Told Teammate Trade To Knicks Was Close In August

  Giannis Antetokounmpo told at least one Milwaukee Bucks teammate during the summer that he believed a trade to the New York Knicks was close to materializing, multiple sources said this week. The two-time MVP gave Milwaukee a preference to be traded to New York, and the teams held discussions in August.

  ESPN reported the Knicks were afforded an exclusive negotiating window in August to make trade pitches to Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo. The talks did not progress beyond preliminary discussions, and no trade materialized.

  The Knicks continue to be cited as a team that must be mentioned in any credible discussion about Antetokounmpo's future. New York does not currently have any tradeable first-round picks but possesses four swap rights available.

  Antetokounmpo becomes eligible on October 1, 2026 for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season. He could become a free agent as early as 2027 if he declines the extension.

  If Antetokounmpo is traded, he can sign the same extension with his new team six months after the deal. The timing provides flexibility for both Milwaukee and any potential trade partner.

  New York's absence of tradeable first-round picks complicates any potential deal for Antetokounmpo. The Knicks surrendered significant draft capital in recent trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.

  Antetokounmpo's affinity for playing in New York has been mentioned often, both publicly and privately. The Brooklyn Nets have been previously cited as a potential suitor for Antetokounmpo, but they have pivoted to another plan as that scenario is considered unrealistic.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Out 2-4 Weeks With Right Calf Strain

  Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be out two to four weeks with a right calf strain. Antetokounmpo suffered the non-contact injury in the first quarter of Wednesday's game. An Achilles injury was quickly ruled out, but Antetokounmpo will still miss a meaningful number of games.

  The injury quickly follows ESPN's report that Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will be deciding his future with the franchise over the coming weeks amid a possible trade.

  Antetokounmpo recently returned from a right adductor injury. The Bucks have struggled to win without Antetokounmpo in the lineup and have been playing at approximately a .500 pace with him on the floor. Milwaukee have to further rely on their hollowed out depth.

  Antetokounmpo also missed the 2024 playoffs due to a left calf strain.

• Execs Asking If Giannis Antetokounmpo Ready To Request Trade, Expand List Beyond Knicks

  As Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to discuss his future with the franchise, there are two main questions executives in the NBA are asking that will help determine the course of events leading to the trade deadline on February 5th.

  "In the wake of what happened yesterday, I'm getting two different questions from people in the league over the last 24 hours," said Brian Windhorst on First Take. "One is do we think that after saber-rattling before, in August he had an interest in playing for the Knicks. The Knicks and Bucks had trade conversations about it. They weren't able to come to a deal. But I promise you it wasn't the Bucks' idea to have those negotiations. I promise you the Knicks got the call to ask and start the trade conversations because they didn't think it was coming.

  "So did Giannis come and sit with ownership and say 'trade me'. He did not, but he was interested in it. Here we are again and there's interest in Giannis' side in maybe making a change.

  "Will he go forward and take the next step and say 'trade me'? This is what the league wants to know. Because in the past we have gotten here and he has not gone to the line and has not said 'I want to be traded.'

  "The second thing is if he gets to that line, will the list include more than just the Knicks? Because in the summer, it was just the Knicks. If the list includes more than just the Knicks, will Giannis get to control the trade?"

  The Knicks are unlikely to have the best offer for Antetokounmpo as they don't currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they do have four swaps available.

  Antetokounmpo becomes eligible on October 1, 2026 for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season and could become a free agent as early as 2027. If Antetokounmpo is traded, he can sign the same extension with his new team six months after the deal.

  Mechanically, a trade involving Antetokounmpo becomes far easier for the Bucks to execute in the offseason when there are fewer restrictions in place.

• Bucks Sources Downplay Severity Of Giannis Antetokounmpo Conversations

  Milwaukee Bucks sources downplayed speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo's future Wednesday, telling The Athletic there has been no formal trade request despite an ESPN report indicating discussions between the star and team officials.

  An ESPN report stated Antetokounmpo and his representation are having conversations with the Bucks about the organization's future. Team sources acknowledged the discussions but indicated the severity of the situation has been overstated.

  The Bucks entered Wednesday with a 9-13 record, sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo has missed six of Milwaukee's 22 games this season, including four consecutive contests with a left adductor strain.

  Antetokounmpo's social media accounts were scrubbed at the end of November, adding fuel to speculation about his future. The only non-sponsored content remaining includes championship highlights, family images and correspondence with the late Kobe Bryant.

  The two-time MVP is averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. The Bucks are 1-5 this season without Antetokounmpo on the floor.

  Milwaukee lost to the Washington Wizards on Monday after blowing a 16-point second-half lead. Antetokounmpo declined to speak with reporters following the defeat.

  "The reason that this is out is because we're not playing well," Doc Rivers said. "When we started out the season, I heard guys saying, 'Man, they're going to be really good.' So, let's just call a spade a spade. We're not playing well."

  Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. has missed 19 of the team's first 22 games with injuries. The Bucks rank 16th in offense and 23rd in defense entering Wednesday.

  ESPN first reported Antetokounmpo expressed interest in the New York Knicks during the offseason. The Athletic confirmed those talks never gained traction.

  December 15 marks the date when teams can trade players who signed summer contracts, typically increasing league-wide trade discussions.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Exits With Calf Strain, Achilles Injury Ruled Out

  Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a right calf strain just three minutes into Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. The two-time NBA MVP did not return and was ruled out before the first quarter ended. Antetokounmpo is undergoing an MRI, but an Achilles injury is unlikely to have occurred.

  The injury occurred after Antetokounmpo delivered a jump pass assist to guard AJ Green. He collapsed to the floor in what appeared to be a noncontact injury while transitioning to defense. Antetokounmpo sat on the court and signaled to Doc Rivers for a timeout.

  Teammate Kevin Porter Jr. committed a foul to stop play. Antetokounmpo remained seated during the timeout before limping to the bench under his own power. He briefly sat before walking gingerly to the locker room.

  The Bucks trailed 10-4 with 9:00 remaining in the opening quarter when Antetokounmpo exited. He finished with two points, one rebound and one assist. Milwaukee announced via X that he would not return due to the calf strain.

  Antetokounmpo missed four games last month with a left groin strain. He had played in Milwaukee's previous three games before Wednesday's contest.

  The injury occurred hours after an ESPN report indicated Antetokounmpo is mulling his future with the Bucks. Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo and agent Alex Saratsis are having conversations with Milwaukee about whether his best fit is with the team or elsewhere.

  Rivers addressed the report before Wednesday's game, stating there have been no such conversations.

  "There's been no conversations," Rivers said. "He loves Milwaukee and he loves the Bucks."

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Opens Talks With Bucks About His Future

  Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have initiated conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks on whether his best fit is staying with the franchise or moving on via a trade. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 5th, which could lead to a trade request.

  Antetokounmpo has been frustrated with the Bucks' losing and there's a sense of tension in the locker room. One source told ESPN's Shams Charania that the situation is at the point where "the writing's on the wall on what's to come with Giannis Antetokounmpo."

  Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks was an open question throughout the offseason, especially during the NBA draft combine in May. Antetokounmpo wanted to evaluate the offseason maneuvers with the Bucks and he decided not to strongly agitate for a trade.

  However, Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a preference to be traded to the New York Knicks and the two teams held clandestine discussions on a deal in August that didn't progress. The Knicks don't currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they do have four swaps available.

  Multiple other teams are expected to emerge with trade interest in Antetokounmpo should he become available via trade.

  ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes Antetokounmpo will give the Bucks a trade list that they will have to do their best to accommodate while getting a return for him.

  Antetokounmpo becomes eligible on October 1, 2026 for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season and could become a free agent as early as 2027. If Antetokounmpo is traded, he can sign the same extension with his new team six months after the deal.

  In 16 games this season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 30.8 minutes. The Bucks have a 1-5 record without Antetokounmpo this season.