A new report about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in the next month just improved the New York Knicks or Miami Heat’s chances of winning the trade chase.

Outside of the Emirates Cup Finals this week, the biggest story in the NBA right now is on the future of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Heading into the new week, the team that also includes big free agent addition Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma owns a sad 11-15 record.

Their start to the 2025-26 NBA season has been far below expectations, and it’s the impetus behind a recent report from Shams Charania that the two-time MVP and the team plan to talk about his future, and whether it should be in Milwaukee for the rest of this season.

If Antetokounmpo forces his way out of Wisconsin, many teams are expected to be in the running for his elite services. Franchises like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat. However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, some of the top contenders are becoming less and less likely to pursue a trade during the season.

“There is a growing belief among trade trackers that San Antonio and Houston, like Oklahoma City, do not plan to join the chase for Antetokounmpo even if the Bucks ultimately do decide to consider in-season proposals for their two-time MVP,” the NBA insider claims.

“All three of those teams, as you can imagine, like what they have going.”

NY Knicks and MIA Heat the current favorites for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade?

The three Western Conference clubs own three of the top six records in the NBA right now. OKC owns the top record in the league (24-2), while the Spurs just defeated them over the weekend to advance to the finals of the Emirates Cup this week.

The report is very good news for the Knicks, who have long been connected to an Antetokounmpo trade. However, they have the fifth-best record in the NBA, have won nine of their last 10, and will face the Spurs in the Emirates Cup Final. One has to wonder if they might prefer to stick with the status quo for the rest of the season as well.

The Heat have hit a slump in recent weeks, so they may be the most motivated to make a deal this season. Furthermore, they have the trade chips (young players and draft picks) to make a very good offer to the Bucks.

Either way, if there are far less teams — especially contenders Antetokounmo would actually want to go to — involved it means the price will be far more favorable for the Knicks and Heat.