Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s relationship with the Milwaukee Bucks seems more fractured than ever, which should come as good news to the New York Knicks. And yet, if the two-time MVP can\u2019t reestablish an amicable partnership with the only team he\u2019s ever known, the chances of him being shipped to the Big Apple this summer take a massive nosedive.<\/p>\n
To be fair, New York\u2019s odds of landing Giannis have always existed on the longer end. His interest in donning orange and blue<\/a> last summer gave the scenario real weight, but the absence of a deal coupled with the Knicks\u2019 limited asset stash puts them at a serious disadvantage. They will need serious help from Antetokounmpo himself to bag him, the kind of assistance that goes beyond a polite trade request.<\/p>\n A very public battle between Giannis and the Bucks over his playing status should therefore come as good news<\/a> to New York. The two sides seem more likely than ever to pull the ripcord on their marriage this offseason. For their part, though, the Knicks better hope the drama doesn\u2019t linger.<\/p>\n The situation in Milwaukee is getting ugly<\/p>\n Things have taken a turn for the toxic in Milwaukee over the past few weeks. First, we found out the Bucks wanted to shut down Giannis<\/a> for the rest of the season after he suffered a hyper-extended left knee. Being Giannis, he of course was not on board.<\/p>\n From there, ESPN\u2019s Ramona Shelburne penned a riveting feature in which<\/a> co-owner Wes Edens flat-out said Giannis \u201cwill be extended or he\u2019ll be traded\u201d before next season. Since then, the disconnect over how to handle the superstar\u2019s availability has gone even more public.<\/p>\n According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the league is investigating <\/a>Milwaukee\u2019s handling of Giannis\u2019 left knee issue. Though Giannis insists he\u2019s being forced to sit out, the Bucks are saying he refused to try three-on-three scrimmaging as part of a pathway to return.<\/p>\n This disconnect reached a breaking point prior to the Bucks getting their butts beat by the Boston Celtics. \u201cYou know who you are dealing with,\u201d Giannis told reporters pregame (via The Athletic\u2019s Eric Nehm). \u201cSo for somebody to come and tell me to not play<\/a> or not to compete, it\u2019s like a slap in my face. So, I don\u2019t know where the relationship goes from there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Knicks should be rooting for a slight reconciliation in Milwaukee<\/p>\n