After the NBA Playoffs ended for the Bucks, an ESPN report sparked multiple rumors that Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be open to considering a trade from the Bucks. Now, another ESPN employee, Brian Windhorst, who is also an NBA insider, puts an end to all the rumors revolving around the Greek superstar in Milwaukee.
Windhorst appeared on the most recent segment of the ‘Get Up’ show, where he dropped a massive update on the Bucks superstar’s near future. The cast of the ‘Get Up’ show on ESPN deliberated upon the influence of a Giannis Antetokounmpo or a Kevin Durant trade on the Knicks if they choose to move for either of these players. Windhorst jumped in to quickly drop a massive update on the potential Knicks trade for both superstars.
“There’s not going to be a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in the short-term future. The league has come to terms with the realization that the Bucks are going to keep him and Giannis is not going to ask for a trade. I can’t speak to what might happen in August. They can’t pin any coaching decision on Giannis Antetokounmpo and they probably shouldn’t plan to do it on Kevin Durant either, because I don’t think they’re in the best position to trade for him. I think you should remove those two options, remove those two as any indications on how they might approach their [head coach hiring].”
“I am saying Giannis Antetokounmpo is not getting traded before the Knicks are hiring a coach. So you can’t pin the coach to what you may do when a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade [happens] and I think a Kevin Durant trade is going to be very complicated for the Knicks. I do not think that you can make your decision based on the acquisition of one of these star players,” Windhorst further added. ‘
What Does This Mean For Giannis Antetokounmpo And Kevin Durant?
While the Knicks were rumored to be among the mix to trade for Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Windhorst believes that either of those trades could be messy for New York, and one of them will likely not happen at all [Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Knicks]. While the Knicks can trade for Kevin Durant, Windhorst discourages it as he feels they may have to give up too much to get him.
The Antetokounmpo update makes it clear that one of the biggest pieces of news we will hear first after the end of this season is where Kevin Durant will land next. Multiple reports have suggested that Durant is essentially standing on top of a sinking ship in the Suns and will look to jump ship as soon as he gets the green light. Some sources even claimed that a trade for him may have already been agreed in principle.
With Antetokounmpo now presumably locked into the Bucks for the near future, Durant will likely be the biggest name in the trade market this season. But for the Knicks, bringing Durant on board could be a complicated task. They first need to resolve their head coaching role vacancy before entering the trade market for a superstar.