Even this dream is too outlandish for Stephen A. Smith.
Smith, a lifelong and outspoken Knicks fan, brought up the idea of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee if he is unable to win a title with the team. He didn’t even entertain the thought of the Knicks being an option, however.
“No, no. I’m not gonna say the Knicks. I’m not gonna say the Knicks,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take Wednesday.
Co-host Max Kellerman proclaimed that “The Knicks are gonna pretend that they’re an option,” to which Smith replied, “Please. No way. We know better.”
Smith previously got his heart broken when free agents Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving spurned the Knicks to sign with the crosstown rival Nets over the summer, adding to the ever-growing list of stars looking past the Knicks for better championship opportunities.
A year after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks’ 27-5 record thus far is the best in the NBA, and the team has already beaten both star-studded Los Angeles teams.
Antetokounmpo is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. The reigning MVP has made no inclination that he has any intention of leaving, and has repeatedly praised the city of Milwaukee and the culture the Bucks have built.
That could change if the Bucks fail to get a ring, according to Smith.
“When you think about him in Milwaukee, you gotta win for him to stay there,” Smith said. “You can’t just have him there and you don’t win a [championship].”
Smith pointed to several big-market teams that could make a run at the Greek Freak. The Lakers, should Anthony Davis decide to leave as a free-agent at season’s end, the Clippers and Warriors could have enough flexibility to make room for Antetokounmpo. The Heat could offer Giannis a promising roster to take the next step.
Anybody but the Knicks, it seems.
For more on the Knicks, listen to the latest episode of the “Big Apple Buckets” podcast:




