Giannis Trade Looms: Bucks, Knicks in Deadline Talks

Merlin sees the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis in active talks about his future — stay in Milwaukee or be moved — with a "resolution" expected in the coming weeks and the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming. Reports say there was an exclusive negotiating window with the New York Knicks in August and Giannis was open to playing in New York, but that exclusivity ends now. This matters because a generational star who wants to play for a contender can reshape the league overnight. Merlin remembers the signs: Giannis is still elite (about 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds) but the Bucks have stumbled — a brutal 1-8 stretch and exits in three straight first rounds. He stated it would be "human to change his mind," and sources warned "the writing is on the wall" if Milwaukee can’t flip the script. New York looms as a logical suitor, but many kingdoms will bid.