Insider: The Knicks Were Absolutely 'In Position To Get Giannis' & Failed

We heard earlier in the offseason that the New York Knicks were Giannis Antetokounmpo's top choice as a destination if he were to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. Now we're hearing from well-connected insider Brian Windhorst that not only was that report factual, it was actually this close to happening... Until it didn't.

“The Knicks were in position to get Giannis and they didn’t get him…the Knicks could have had Giannis under a certain set of circumstances.” 👀

- Brian Windhorst

(h/t @awfulannouncing )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 21, 2025

"Nobody denied that report! Those talks happened!," said Windhorst.

"I know everybody's trying to whistle past the graveyard and pretend this didn't happen. But...

“The Knicks were in position to get Giannis, and they didn’t get him…either because they didn't offer enough because they believe in this team, which is a totally acceptable answer... (but) the Knicks could have had Giannis under a certain set of circumstances. But because of what they've invested in this team and their belief in this team... They don't have him!"

Windhorst was putting it out there in illustrating that the Knicks better go all out to win it all this season, or they'll look back on their failure to land Giannis this summer as a huge mistake.

The Knicks were the only team Giannis seriously considered this offseason, said Shams Charania in his report earlier this month. But now that New York lost their exclusive bargaining window, said Shams, "Giannis and his agent... have been figuring out which multiple teams could find their way (into the discussion)."

The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP and one-time NBA Finals MVP, and has hemmed and hawed about whether he would leave the Milwaukee Bucks. He has stated repeatedly that his goal is to win more championships in his NBA career than just the one (2021) he has with the Bucks.