Report: Giannis once preferred the Knicks before joining the Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially been traded to the Miami Heat, ending months of speculation about his future. The move, announced Tuesday, stunned NBA fans and immediately revived attention on what happened during the Greek star’s final year with the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to league reports, when Antetokounmpo’s representatives told the Bucks last summer that he wanted to leave, they also informed the team that his preferred destination was the New York Knicks. That did not materialize, and Antetokounmpo ultimately stayed with the franchise that drafted him.

The twist, the report says, is that when trade discussions resurfaced in recent weeks, the Knicks were no longer interested in acquiring him. The article notes that the contrast underscores how quickly circumstances can change in the NBA, even around its biggest stars.

The story is retrospective, but it frames Antetokounmpo’s move to Miami as the latest turn in a year of shifting expectations around one of the league’s most sought-after players.