Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are headed for a divorce this offseason, and the New York Knicks and Miami Heat top the superstar’s trade wish list, sources told Heat Nation.
Antetokounmpo is “furious” with the Bucks organization for not letting him play, sources said. The future Hall of Famer recently told reporters that he is healthy enough to play but is being held out by the team.
Milwaukee will miss the playoffs this season, so the front office doesn’t see any reason for Antetokounmpo to play with only a few games left, sources said. Antetokounmpo, an intense competitor, is incensed by the Bucks’ decision, and all signs point toward the 2021 Finals MVP being on a new team next season, sources said.
The Heat and Knicks attempted to trade for Antetokounmpo at this year’s trade deadline and will pursue the two-time MVP again this offseason, sources said. Antetokounmpo and Miami All-Star Bam Adebayo have the same agent, Alex Saratsis of Octagon. The two stars have spoken in the past about playing with each other, sources said.
Antetokounmpo prefers playing for an East Coast team since the East Coast is closer to Greece, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Miami and New York are East Coast cities. Antetokounmpo’s wife and kids live in Greece, which is why he wants to play in a city close to Greece.
One of the greatest two-way players of all time, Antetokounmpo holds career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He’s been in the NBA since 2013. The Greek Freak guided the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns, but he hasn’t been past the second round of the playoffs since 2022.
The Knicks haven’t won a championship since 1973, while the Heat last reached the promised land in 2013 behind LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Hall of Famer Pat Riley has been trying to acquire Antetokounmpo for several years, sources said, and he will have his best opportunity yet to get the talented small forward this offseason.