New York Knicks Reportedly Holding Off Major Roster Decisions Until Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Long-Term Status With Milwaukee Bucks Becomes Clear
The New York Knicks are in an unusual holding pattern this offseason, and according to multiple reports, the reason behind their hesitation to make major roster moves may center around one player—Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. As one of the NBA’s most powerful forces and most coveted stars, Giannis continues to attract the eyes of front offices across the league. And while he remains under contract in Milwaukee, uncertainty over his long-term future has created a ripple effect, particularly for a Knicks organization that’s been quietly planning for a major move.
According to a recent report by a well-connected NBA insider, the Knicks are not rushing into any blockbuster trades or free agent splashes because they want to keep their options open until the “Giannis stuff is fully settled.” That phrase has caused quite a stir around the league and among fanbases. It suggests that one of the most aggressive and upward-trending teams in the Eastern Conference is delaying potentially transformative decisions until they have clarity on whether Giannis may eventually become available via trade or free agency.
The Knicks have been one of the most discussed teams in recent seasons. After years of futility, they have finally built a sustainable, competitive roster built around rising stars like Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett, veteran contributors such as Julius Randle and Josh Hart, and a coaching staff led by Tom Thibodeau that has reintroduced defense, toughness, and accountability into Madison Square Garden. They reached the second round of the playoffs in 2023 and were viewed as legitimate threats to make a conference finals appearance in 2024, before injuries derailed their momentum.
Now, the Knicks find themselves at a crossroads. They are talented, deep, and disciplined, but they are missing one thing: a bona fide MVP-caliber superstar. And that’s where the Giannis intrigue comes into play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion, has remained publicly committed to the Milwaukee Bucks, but he’s also made it clear over the past few years that his loyalty is conditional. In multiple interviews, Giannis has stated that he wants to win and will not hesitate to leave if he feels the Bucks are not matching his intensity and championship mindset. With Milwaukee coming off a disappointing first-round exit, and concerns growing about the aging roster around him, Giannis’s long-term commitment to the franchise has once again come under scrutiny.
The Knicks have quietly been preparing for a moment like this. Over the past three seasons, New York’s front office has accumulated a treasure chest of draft picks, maintained financial flexibility, and resisted the temptation to overpay for fringe stars. They passed on risky trades, such as the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes in 2022, and have instead chosen a path of patient team-building. Many around the league now believe this patience is strategic, designed to keep them in the running should a top-10 player like Giannis ever become available.
What makes this speculation even more compelling is the presence of connections. Giannis has strong ties to multiple figures within the Knicks organization, including team president Leon Rose, who was once a powerful agent with deep relationships across the NBA. The Knicks also hired Giannis’s former trainer and have built an international-friendly culture, complete with a strong Greek and European presence around the organization. It’s no secret the Knicks are laying the groundwork in every possible way.
The phrase “until the Giannis stuff is fully settled” implies that the Knicks do not want to commit key assets—whether that be draft picks, young players, or cap space—until they know where Giannis stands. That makes sense from a strategic point of view. If New York were to trade multiple first-round picks and rotation players for a second-tier star now, they might eliminate their ability to make a compelling offer for Giannis later.
At the same time, this cautious approach comes with risk. The Eastern Conference is wide open, and the Knicks are closer than they’ve been in two decades to becoming serious contenders. Waiting for a potential opportunity that may never come could cost them a shot at improving now. It’s a delicate balance—remaining patient without becoming passive.
Milwaukee, for its part, has done everything in its power to keep Giannis happy. They traded for Damian Lillard in a bold move designed to give Giannis a superstar teammate who could ease the scoring burden and stretch defenses. But the pairing, at least in year one, failed to deliver the ultimate result. The Bucks were eliminated in the first round by a surging Indiana Pacers team, and once again Giannis was hampered by injuries during a critical playoff series. The frustration was evident.
Behind the scenes, sources say the Bucks are not worried about Giannis leaving—at least not yet. He is under contract through the 2025–26 season, with a player option in 2026–27. That gives Milwaukee time, but not unlimited time. If the Bucks fail to make another deep playoff run in the upcoming season, the noise around Giannis’s future will grow louder. Teams like the Knicks want to be prepared for that possibility.
There’s also the free agency angle. Giannis could become a free agent in two years, and the Knicks could position themselves to sign him outright if they maintain financial flexibility. That would mean avoiding long-term salary commitments and preserving cap space, which may explain why New York has passed on certain contract extensions and high-priced acquisitions. It’s a rare combination of short-term competitiveness and long-term planning—a credit to a front office that has often been criticized for impatience in the past.
Of course, this entire strategy hinges on one massive unknown: whether Giannis will actually become available. There is no indication, at least publicly, that the Bucks are entertaining trade offers. And Giannis himself has not requested out. But in the modern NBA, situations can change rapidly. Stars grow frustrated, front offices reevaluate, and opportunities emerge out of nowhere. The Knicks are simply trying to be ready if that time comes.
In the meantime, the Knicks are doing their due diligence. They’ve remained active in lower-level free agent discussions, explored trade options for veteran role players, and continue to develop their young core. But all of it appears to be done through the lens of preserving their long-term flexibility. They don’t want to mortgage their future just for incremental improvements. They’re holding their big chips for a big move.
The NBA landscape could look very different one year from now. If the Bucks fall short again, and Giannis decides he’s ready for a new challenge, the Knicks want to be first in line. And that means waiting—for now.
The entire strategy is reminiscent of the way teams once positioned themselves for LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Few players are worth reorienting an entire franchise around, but Giannis is one of them. His combination of size, skill, and leadership make him a transformational presence. The Knicks believe he could be the missing piece that finally delivers a championship to Madison Square Garden—a place that hasn’t celebrated a title since 1973.
For Knicks fans, the waiting game can be frustrating. They’ve seen this team grow into a respectable force in the East and want to see the front office capitalize. But sometimes the biggest move is the one you don’t make. And if New York’s patience ultimately positions them to land Giannis, it will have all been worth it.
Until then, the phrase “until the Giannis stuff is fully settled” will hover over the Knicks’ offseason strategy. It’s more than a rumor—it’s a clue to a larger plan. Whether that plan succeeds or not will determine the future of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
