With more rumors linking him to the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is back on the front page of the Big Apple tabloids. Adding fuel to the fire have been the follow-up reports corroborating the mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Knicks. Yet, as should be expected, multiple teams are “closely monitoring the situation” brewing in Milwaukee, reports Sports Illustrated insider Chris Mannix.
“Houston, even after the Kevin Durant deal, has the kind of capital to make an offer. San Antonio, too. New York, Detroit and Orlando could also get in the mix,” Mannix writes. However, while the Knicks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic are keeping an eye on the Greek Freak, there’s at least one team that “has no interest” in pursuing him.
“I’ve been explicitly told that Oklahoma City has no interest,” Mannix relays.
Thunder Not Interested In Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
The 2025-26 regular season is only a couple of weeks away and who knows if the Oklahoma City Thunder locker room will still have the smell of championship champagne on opening night. The Gen Z-heavy roster wasn’t quite sure how to pop open the bubbly after outlasting the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals and was just as unfamiliar with the taste. However, what can be sure is that the Thunder have held the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs for two straight seasons and will be hanging their first-ever title banner on Oct. 21.
They’ve done this while led by reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the MVP runner-up in 2023-24, turned 27 years old this past July. The contributions of Jalen Williams, who has already become Oklahoma City’s second option, are definitely praiseworthy. Last season, the 24-year-old swingman earned his first All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defensive selections. Though health has been an issue, 23-year-old Chet Holmgren is a dynamic big man who can fill his trophy case up much the same way as Williams.
This triumvirate is surrounded by a complementary group of young and veteran role players. Already looking the part of a potential dynasty, they don’t have as much of a reason as others to go out and make a blockbuster trade.
A Different Boat
To be clear, Victor Wembanyama‘s Spurs, Cade Cunningham‘s Pistons, and Paolo Banchero‘s Magic are up-and-coming teams. Jalen Brunson‘s Knicks don’t have quite as much youth as the aforementioned squads but they’re undoubtedly a contender. After all, that’s presumably why Antetokounmpo is ruminating about playing for them.
All the same, none of these franchises have even made it to the NBA Finals within the last decade. Only San Antonio and New York have even reached the Conference Finals within the last 10 years, the Spurs doing so in 2016-17 and the Knicks making their run in 2024-25 (which also likely appeals to Antetokounmpo).
From that perspective, it’s clear why those teams desire Antetokounmpo. He’s a perennial All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defensive, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP candidate. He’s on the wrong side of 30 but moves so well, he can probably dominate for at least another five years. In fact, he’s such a tremendous talent that it’s nonsensical for the Thunder to have zero interest in him. Even so, unlike those other franchises, OKC has already gotten over the hump.
They’re simply in a different boat.
Why Pick J-Dub Over The Greek Freak?
When targeting a player like Antetokounmpo, teams are expected to give up a king’s ransom. That’s even more the case when a franchise is loathe to part with that player. From OKC’s vantage point, that could lead to them being pushed to include Williams in the trade package, as asking for Gilgeous-Alexander is obviously a non-starter.
Yet, even that could be too steep a price for the Thunder.
Between Williams and Antetokounmpo, the former has youth and upside on his side, while the latter has proof of concept. This will stand out in a head-to-head comparison. Yet, for Oklahoma City, the focus should be more about how this would affect their team. Because he’s yet to develop his outside jumper, Antetokounmpo wouldn’t be as clean a fit as Williams. In fact, Williams is such a well-rounded player that he can adapt to any lineup or role. Furthermore, considering his status, he’d probably want to be considered the team’s No. 1 option.
That could get awkward on and off the court.
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