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.