Antetokounmpo, 30, has recently been the subject of much buzz over his NBA future. The Bucks have now lost in the first round for three straight years, and Antetokounmpo’s co-star Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon last May before eventually being stretched-and-waived by Milwaukee.

New York Knicks, one of the NBA’s most wealthy market clubs, tend to pursue the greatest names. Several franchises had Giannis Antetokounmpo at the top of their want lists, but in recent weeks, things have changed.