After a decade in the league, all spent with the Milwaukee Bucks, it seemed like this offseason could be a turning point for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Since their triumph and championship victory in 2021, the team hadn’t found the same level of success, particularly in the postseason, as the team tried to experiment with its roster multiple times.
Ultimately, without any true secondary co-star on the roster, it seemed like the time for the Greek Freak could also be coming to an end. As a result, rumors of trades dominated the entire offseason, with the New York Knicks, fresh off an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, seeming like the most obvious choice.
After seeing them up close and personal in the fourth game of the season, Antetokounmpo had an interesting response to the rumors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Clears the Air on the Knicks
The start to the 2025-26 season has been about as good as one could anticipate for one of the most dominant players in the sport today. Despite winning two MVPs and a Defensive Player of the Year, it has led many to crown it his best season yet.
In the four games, he’s averaging an absurd 36 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists, with even more shocking shooting splits of 68.3% from the field and 57.1% from 3-point range in under 33 minutes per game.
Going against New York, fresh off the first loss of the season, he was once again sublime. Antetokounmpo scored 37 points, adding eight rebounds and seven assists alongside three steals on the night, as Milwaukee returned to its winning ways.
After the game, though, given the opponent in question, Antetokounmpo was asked about the offseason speculation about a potential trade and the rumor regarding his interest in joining the Knicks if he wanted out from the Bucks.
As he began shaking his head, he claimed he hadn’t heard that, before adding, “I’m here representing my team. And that’s it. We beat the Knicks.” Instead, he claimed his focus was firmly on the next game, a clash against the Golden State Warriors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo said he didn’t hear the reports he would prefer a trade to the Knicks if he were to be traded
“Who said that? I’m here representing my team. And that’s it. We beat the Knicks. I didn’t read that article, try to stay away from all the rumors” pic.twitter.com/ehDAEEc66J
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 29, 2025
“Try to stay locked in.” On the particular piece of reporting, he finished, “I didn’t read that article, try to stay away from all the rumors and call it speculation and trades. Doesn’t concern me one bit.”
After an emotional outburst during the game, during which he pointed to the fans in Fiserv Forum and claimed, “This is my city,” it seems like Antetokounmpo is here to stay in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future.
With the way the season has begun, it is hard to fault him for his belief. The Bucks seem to be as viable a threat in the Eastern Conference as any other team.
