Giannis Antetokounmpowas a trade target for the Knicks earlier this month and could still be on New York's radar but stayed with the Milwaukee Bucks through the NBA's Feb. 5 deadline.
The 2021 NBA Finals MVP addressed his status with the Bucks this weekend when he sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews for an interview at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
"As of today, I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks," he said. "And I'm committed to the people that I work with -- my teammates, the coaching staff, coach Doc (Rivers) and (general manager) Jon (Horst) in the front office. What I've said from the beginning of this year is that, out of my mouth and the way I've carried myself, you will never hear me say I don't want to be a Milwaukee Buck."
Antetokounmpo was asked if he feels "at odds" with being a winner and his loyalty to the Bucks, and he started off by repeatedly saying "no."
"I am a winner, and I'm extremely loyal," Antetokounmpo said. "But the only thing that I feel sometimes ... growing up, you dream, 'Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I'm teammates with Kobe (Bryant)? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron (James) passes me the ball?' Like, you just dream, right?
"So, it doesn't change as an adult. You turn on the TV watch OKC, watch Celtics (and think), 'How would that work?' You always dream. If there will ever be a scenario ... where I'll be a Milwaukee Buck no more, I just don't want everybody to think, like, hey, man, I quit on my team -- because it's my team, and I love them."
Antetokounmpo, 31, is averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds through 30 games of his 13th NBA season. He was named to his 10th All-Star Game but missed Sunday's action while sidelined with a calf injury.