Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Shock Function in Mikal Bridges’ $150M Knicks Payday

[ad_1] The way forward for Milwaukee Bucks middle Giannis Antetokounmpo has been one of many most-talked about subjects of the NBA offseason.

Many anticipated the two-time MVP to be traded amid studies he is sad with the course the Bucks are stepping into a loaded Jap Convention and the staff's roster not getting any nearer to being championship-caliber.

Milwaukee parted methods with Damian Lillard after simply two seasons — a transfer that reportedly upset Antetokounmpo, although he would've missed a lot of the 2025 season after struggling a torn Achilles within the playoffs — and it introduced in former Indiana Pacers middle Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million contract.

However even with Turner's addition, plus the Bucks retaining Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., and Taurean Prince, some are nonetheless satisfied Antetokounmpo is searching for an out — one thing a Bucks front-office government just lately admitted he would not imagine to be true.

"We have now no indication that something is de facto altering so far as our relationship with the participant we predict is the perfect on the planet," the exec advised Sportac's Keith Smith. "We rebuilt on the fly, in a very difficult scenario, however we predict we did it in addition to it could possibly be carried out."

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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts within the first quarter in opposition to the Indiana Pacers of Sport 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts within the first quarter in opposition to the Indiana Pacers of Sport 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Justin Casterline/Getty Photographs Antetokounmpo has been linked to a number of groups by way of commerce over the previous few weeks together with the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks, however a kind of groups reportedly modified course after studying that Antetokounmpo possible will not request a commerce out of Milwaukee, in accordance with a report from Hoops Wire.

"The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a commerce from the Bucks," Hoops Wire's Ashish Mathur reported. "All indicators level towards Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee."

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Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket round Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the first quarter at Rocket Enviornment on April 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket round Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the first quarter at Rocket Enviornment on April 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jason Miller/Getty Photographs Information of Antetokounmpo possible staying put presumably performed a task within the Knicks deciding to lock up ahead Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150 million contract on Thursday that features a participant choice for the 2029-30 season plus a commerce kicker. Bridges cannot be traded for six months after the signing extension.

"By finishing this new contract, Bridges takes a slight low cost from his max extension quantity ($156 million) to assist New York keep flexibility to proceed constructing the roster," ESPN's Chris Herring wrote.

In his first season with the Knicks, Bridges averaged 17.6 factors, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 37 minutes per sport. It was his lowest scoring common for the reason that 2021-22 season (14.2 factors per sport).