Giannis Antetokounmpo has expressed his desire for a move that could leave the Milwaukee Bucks after being knocked out of the playoffs last month.
Since then, many teams have moved forward by expressing their interest in the MVP two times, including the New York Knicks.
Stephen A. Smith revealed that he is open to losing the town of Karl Anthony if it means that Giannis Antetocomo is in the Knicks.
The deal remains a very prominent possibility for all the assets they have to give up, but there are some that can invite Anteto Compo to head to the Big Apple.
The Knicks have announced their decision to say goodbye to Tom Thibodeau five years later.
The news has shocked the world, but it is expected that he will be nominated as a championship caliber coach, and Antetocomo could be tempted to go to the Knicks if he were Mike Budenholzer.
Antetokounmpo was making big numbers even before Budenholzer went to Milwaukee, and even before he won the Most Improved Player Award in 2017.
However, his game took the next step under Budenholzer and he became one of the best players in the league.
The Greek freak won two MVP trophies and a defensive player of the year award, with Budenholzer winning the championship in 2021 as coach.
His departure was a shock for many as Budenholzer succeeded with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo sent out a message after Budenholzer was fired by the Bucks.
“Thank you to our five-year coach who is meaningful. He has accomplished something incredible. I am forever grateful.”
The two met again in 2024-25 when Budenholzer was with the Phoenix Sands.
Antetokounmpo is not satisfied with the Bucks organization because he didn’t make a tribute video for his former coach and expressed his disappointment in a post-match interview.
He said: “I thought they would play the video for him, but that wasn’t,” Antetocomo said. “I feel they should.
“Three NBA teams, the fourth in the NBA. They won the championship. Five in the playoffs. Two in the Eastern Conference Finals. One in the Finals. Many winning games.”
There are other candidates for the Knicks’ job, but the team is looking for moves that will help them take the next step to win the championship.
Kendrick Perkins revealed that former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone could be interested, but if the Knicks were on a Budenholzer they could shoot at bringing Antetocompo to New York.
There have been reports that suggested that Antetokounmpo was one of the reasons why Budenholzer was fired, but even after leaving Milwaukee, the two still show a lot of love and respect for each other.
Antetokounmpo played his best basketball at the age of 55 and he thrived under the system. So the 2021 final MVP could be intrigued by the idea of teaming up again with his former coach.
The Greek freak is firm in his idea of winning another championship, and it would be difficult to do that in Milwaukee, as the franchise lacks the assets it has.
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are other options for the 30-year-old to choose from, but if Budenholzer is appointed by the Knicks, Antetocomo could consider joining him and Jaren Branson and returning the championship to New York City.