While several NBA teams are keeping close watch on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee, the Oklahoma City Thunder are not among them.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, multiple franchises are monitoring the two-time MVP’s future with the Bucks, but Oklahoma City has shown no interest in pursuing him.
“Houston, even after the Kevin Durant deal, has the kind of capital to make an offer. San Antonio, too. New York, Detroit and Orlando could also get in the mix. And while I’ve been explicitly told that Oklahoma City has no interest … I mean the Thunder could make it really interesting,” Mannix reported.
The clarification comes as speculation around Antetokounmpo’s long-term future continues to circulate. Despite Milwaukee’s commitment to retaining its franchise cornerstone, several front offices have reportedly prepared for the possibility of a future trade request.
However, Mannix’s report makes it clear that Oklahoma City has no plans to enter those discussions. The defending NBA champions, led by general manager Sam Presti, have been methodical in roster-building and are currently focused on internal growth rather than pursuing a blockbuster trade.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as one of the league’s elite guards and Chet Holmgren anchoring their frontcourt, Oklahoma City’s emphasis remains on player development and long-term sustainability. The organization also holds one of the NBA’s largest collections of future draft assets, giving it flexibility for future opportunities—but not necessarily for a superstar like Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks’ pursuit of Antetokounmpo has ended. As Shams Charania reported on NBA Today, New York’s “exclusive negotiating window” with the Bucks closed after several weeks of talks in August failed to progress.
Charania added that Antetokounmpo had shown interest in joining the Knicks if a trade were possible, but the Bucks never viewed moving him as a realistic option. Milwaukee’s front office, led by Jon Horst, reportedly reassured Antetokounmpo during a July meeting in Greece that the team still believed it could contend with him at the core.
The Bucks’ offseason moves, including the addition of Myles Turner, are designed to stabilize the roster after Damian Lillard’s departure. The organization views the 2025–26 campaign as a pivotal year to reaffirm its championship ambitions and maintain Antetokounmpo’s trust.
