Rumors surrounding the deal Giannis Antetokounmpo is reaching its peak. The trade story began to emerge days after NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the two-time MVP and the Milwaukee Bucks were discussing his future. Speculation about Antetokounmpo joining the Knicks continues to roil social media.

Kris Pursiainen of ClutchPoints reported on Thursday that there was another layer of discussion surrounding Antetokounmpo amid offseason rumors between the Bucks and Knicks:

“Sources familiar with the situation told ClutchPoints that trade talks between the two teams include Milwaukee submitting a trade proposal to New York involving Antetokounmpo and forward Kyle Kuzma.”

Pursiainen added KnicksOn the first tarmac, “there was no way to recoup more wages than they issued”. He went on to say that New York would be prohibited from trading Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma. The Knicks could send different packages to match salary, but the Bucks likely want that trio.

Kris Pursiainen tweeted on Thursday via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that the Knicks have finally dropped trade discussions. New York reportedly believes their roster is strong enough to challenge the Thunder without trading Antetokounmpo.

Brian Windhorst said that when the Knicks and Bucks talked about trading Antetokounmpo, New York thought they had a roster that could win the Eastern Conference and compete with the team that won the Western Conference (the Thunder were mentioned). He added that he’s not sure the Knicks’ standing in the league remains consistent.

NBA analysts say Knicks could still land Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma in more complex deal

The New York Knicks would face multiple complications if they wanted to acquire both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Antetokounmpo. Kyle Kuzma. NBA analyst Sam Quinn proposed a trade that would see both Milwaukee Bucks stars land in New York. In this case, both teams would have to convince the Golden State Warriors to participate in the trade.

The Knicks will get Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma and Anthony Cole, while the Warriors will get Mikal Bridges and Gary Trent Jr. The Golden State Warriors will receive Karl-Anthony Towns, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Duce McBride and three first-round picks (unprotected in 2026 and 2032, protected in 2026). The Warriors also received two unprotected first-round pick swaps (2030 and 2032) in the deal.

The biggest obstacle to the deal is Bridges’ contract, which prohibits the Knicks from trading him until Jan. 31. With the trade deadline less than a week away, another team could win the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.

Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that Antetokounmpo “will instruct the Bucks on where he wants to be traded.” Windhorst added that the Greek Freak told his team that he wants to play for the Knicks. If interest in Antetokounmpo persists, he could still land in New York via a more complicated route.