Antetokounmpo officially applies for a deal, and aims to join these three teams, the NBA landscape has changed drastically

NBA is about to change! Guess who will win the next superstar in the NBA? When Antetokounmpo - the "Greek Monster" of the two-time MVP and the Bucks - openly confronted the team for a deal, the basketball circle was in full swing! In May 2025, the sky in Milwaukee seemed to be a little darker, and Antetokounmpo's heart had already flown to the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. This matter not only concerns his personal championship dream and business territory, but may also bring a major reshuffle to the entire NBA's power territory! What story is hidden behind this? Let’s take a look today and talk about what this matter means to fans, teams, and even the entire league.

Let me first talk about why Antetokounmpo wants to "change jobs". In April 2025, Milwaukee media broke the news that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks management had long been "uncompromising". It is said that Antetokounmpo is particularly disappointed that the team has not made any big moves in recent years and that the lineup is not strengthened and cannot keep up. The Bucks' performance in the 2024-25 season was mediocre and they were eliminated early in the playoffs. Antetokounmpo felt that he had "no martial arts skills" but he didn't have a good stage to perform. He even "played away" in public events, and even local fans began to mutter: Is this big brother's heart no longer in Milwaukee? What's even more exciting is that Antetokounmpo also had a fight with the Bucks over the details of the contract. He felt that the super maximum salary contract he signed (US$228 million in 2020) did not bring the team's sincerity, and the Bucks promised to "build a team around him" was more like a short check.

To put it bluntly, Antetokounmpo feels that in this small place of Milwaukee, the dream of a championship is far away and the commercial value cannot be developed. As the saying goes, "People go to high places, water flows to low places." His thoughts probably have already flown to big cities. Antetokounmpo’s disappointment is not unreasonable. The Bucks have indeed had a bit of a “small” flavor in recent years. There has not been a sign-in for Big Fish in the free market, and there is no big deal in the trading market. But his public pressure is somewhat of a "forced to the palace" that may make Milwaukee fans feel upset. Loyalty is a rare commodity in the NBA.

Antetokounmpo's next stop aims at three teams: the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. Why choose these three? Simple! These three teams either have the strength to compete for the championship or have a large market that can make their commercial value "rather" rise. According to reports from New York media in May 2025, Antetokounmpo's agent has quietly flew to New York to talk to the Knicks at a high level to discuss the possibility of using Randall and McBridegar draft picks for him. The Knicks are the NBA's "traffic responsibility". Who doesn't want to be jealous of the stage of Madison Square Garden? The Clippers are not to be outdone. Media in Los Angeles revealed that Antetokounmpo's team had already been angry with Paul George, and the two also talked about the possibility of joining forces. The Clippers are a bit "divisible". Boss Ballmer wants to gamble, but executives are worried that Leonard is always injured and trading Antetokounmpo may empty its future assets. Not to mention the Golden State Warriors, Antetokounmpo directly had a "private chat" with Curry, and the two made an appointment to have a good talk during the offseason. Curry's three-point skill and Antetokounmpo's inside destructive power make people drool when thinking about it! These three teams have their own strengths. The Knicks have markets, the Clippers have stars, and the Warriors have systems. But to be honest, Antetokounmpo may not be able to "seamlessly connect" wherever he goes. For example, can he adapt to the Warriors' running and bombing style? The Clippers' hidden injuries and the Knicks' defensive shortcomings may all reduce his dream of winning. When choosing a team, it’s not enough to just look at fame.

Want to get Antetokounmpo away? Not that easy! The Bucks clearly made the "sky asking price" and directly called out the returns of five first-round draft picks. What's the concept? In NBA history, there are only a handful of cases of single-player trading for five first rounds! Trading analysis in May 2025 shows that the Knicks, the Clippers, and the Warriors cannot take out so many draft picks alone. It is estimated that they have to pull a third-party team, such as the Portland Trail Blazers, and use young players like Sheden Sharp and draft picks to "gather the players." For rebuilding teams like Portland, they are eager to take advantage of some trade and accelerate their reconstruction plans. Experts from the US ESPN analyzed that the Bucks' operation is to "scare off" potential buyers and force Antetokounmpo to stay in the team. The cost of five first rounds is equivalent to spending all the future of a team.

The Warriors have proposed a plan: Wiggins, Pojemsky, Payton Jr., plus two first and second rounds, but the Bucks don't buy it at all. There is not a single word about trading yet! The Bucks' price is ridiculously high, and they clearly don't want to let them go. But the NBA's trading market is changing rapidly. If a team really grits its teeth and takes out assets, the Bucks may have to let go. Antetokounmpo's stay and whether to stay tests the courage and wisdom of each team.

Golden State Warriors fans are definitely the biggest winners of this wave of trading rumors! In May 2025, the Bay Area X platform exploded, and the label of GiannisToWarriors directly topped the hot search list. Warriors fans pulled banners outside the home court and shouted "Welcome Antetokounmpo", and the scene was like the New Year. Curry also "secretly sending out a message" in the interview, saying that he has a good relationship with Antetokounmpo and that his joining can make the Warriors stronger. Fans are already thinking: Curry fires on the outside, Antetokounmpo opens the way inside, this picture is so beautiful! The experts poured cold water on the basin of cold water.

NBA salary expert Bobby Marks bluntly stated in the podcast that the Warriors' trading chips are not strong enough, Wiggins' form has declined in the past two years, and Bojemsky is still a rookie and has limited attractiveness. In addition, the Warriors' salary space is too short, Antetokounmpo is really here, and the lineup depth may be greatly reduced. The enthusiasm of Warriors fans can understand. Who doesn’t want to see Antetokounmpo and Curry form a “super CP”? But trading is not a play, the Warriors have to consider their own assets. Antetokounmpo's arrival may make offensive firepower overwhelming, but what should I do if the defense and substitute? Don't "steal the chicken but lose the rice" then.

According to the latest data from StatMuse, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists in the 2024-25 season, with a shooting percentage of 61.3%, and is still the top superstar in the league. For the Bucks, his departure was equivalent to dismantling half of the team. The Bucks' playoff record in the past five years (2020-2024) is entirely supported by Antetokounmpo's dominance. Trading him may allow the team to slide directly into the lottery zone. For the target team, Antetokounmpo's joining can directly increase the probability of winning the championship.

Knicks have been out of the second round of the playoffs in the past three years. If Antetokounmpo comes, the offense and defense of the inside will be directly upgraded. The Clippers' offensive efficiency (8th in the league) may be further improved due to Antetokounmpo's breakthrough. The Warriors' three-point shooting per game (No. 1 in the league) and Antetokounmpo's inside impact are simply a "nuclear weapon"-level combination. The data is here, Antetokounmpo is the walking "nuclear bomb". But the NBA is not a 2K game, and chemical reactions, tactical adaptation, and injury risks must be considered. Trading him may be a double-edged sword, but maybe it will be "losing his wife and losing his troops." The rumor of Antetokounmpo's transaction was like a bombshell, causing the NBA to surge. Fans might as well be more patient, stare at the offseason news, and prepare for popcorn to watch the show! As for who will eventually win Antetokounmpo, it may change the NBA landscape in the next few years. It is easy to say whether the deal is completed or not, but this reminds everyone: the NBA never lacks stories, what is lacking is storytellers.