The main reason why Giannis did not transfer to the Knicks

As has been known for several days, this summer the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks negotiated the transfer of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Shams Charania revealed the conversations between the two franchises, which did not end up finalizing what would have been the move of the year in the NBA.

There is a main reason why the negotiations for Antetokounmpo's transfer did not progress. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, from the NBA Rumors, the Knicks declared their star, Jalen Brunson, "untouchable" in the trade.

Sources close to the negotiation confirmed that, although the Knicks showed a real interest in exploring the possibility of incorporating the two-time MVP, Brunson was never on the table. The team sees the point guard as the centerpiece of their project and the face of the franchise's resurgence since his arrival in 2022.

Brunson, who signed with the Knicks three seasons ago after his time in Dallas, has evolved to become an All-NBA player and one of the most charismatic leaders Madison Square Garden has had in decades. In the summer of 2024, the point guard surprised the league by accepting a contract extension below his market value, securing his stay in New York for four years and $156.5 million. By waiting one more year, he could have signed an agreement for up to $113 million more.

The Knicks, going all in as well

With Mike Brown now at the helm, the Knicks' plan is to give their offense a different touch. The new coach aims to implement a system with more ball movement and shared protagonism, a notable change from the more individually talented-focused approach that characterized the Tom Thibodeau era.

Regarding the negotiation with the Bucks, reports indicate that New York had structured their proposal around Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, ruling out from the start including Brunson or Mikal Bridges (who was not eligible to be traded at that time).

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be a name that generates constant buzz in NBA offices. Although the Greek player has reiterated his desire to compete for titles, his ambiguous statements about the future in Milwaukee have fueled speculation. The Bucks, on their part, remain steadfast in their intention to build a new competitive project around him.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El principal motivo por el que no se produjo el traspaso de Giannis a los Knicks