Giannis Antetokounmpo Decision Played Major Role in Mikal Bridges Extension

Giannis Antetokounmpo's name has been out there in trade talks in recent years, but despite all of the speculation, nothing has yet come of a move with the Milwaukee Bucks. Recently, it was noted that he has not made a decision on his future, but one decision that he made had a major impact on a top Eastern Conference rivals off-season.

According to senior writer Sam Amico, some within the New York Knicks organization received intel that Giannis will not be asking for a trade from the Bucks this off-season.

Recent reports have potentially conflicted with that, as there are those that believe his future is beyond Milwaukee, but for the time being, the belief is that nothing is imminent. For the Knicks, this had a major impact, as the fact that Giannis was not available to be had was the thing that triggered the team to sign Mikal Bridges to a long-term extension.

Had the team have found on that Antetokounmpo was potentially available, they were expected to be one of the more aggressive teams in pursuing the former two-time NBA MVP. In that case, Bridges would have likely been part of the package going back to Milwaukee, but once the team found out he was not officially going to request a trade, they pivoted and locked in a key piece of their team moving forward.

In Bridges, the Knicks have a two-way star that stepped up in the post-season, and under new Head Coach Mike Brown, Bridges is expected to be a key part of a potential NBA Finals run through a very injured Eastern Conference in 2025/26.