Reignited Giannis Antetokounmpo-Knicks rumors stuck on one detail

Tick … Tick … Tick

The Giannis Antetokounmpo clock has officially started for the Knicks.

The Bucks superstar and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have begun discussions with Milwaukee regarding his future with the team, ESPN reported on Wednesday. A resolution is expected within the next few weeks, according to the outlet.

The report comes less than a week after Antetokounmpo was in New York for the Bucks’ 118-109 loss to the Knicks, last Friday at Madison Square Garden. Antetokounmpo recorded 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in that game.

Over the offseason, ESPN reported that if Antetokounmpo were to be traded, the Knicks would be his preference. The two sides did have discussions, but they did not go far because the Knicks believed the Bucks lacked motivation — or desperation — to actually make a deal, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported.

Just under two months later, that motivation or desperation could certainly emerge if Antetokounmpo does in fact formally request a trade. The thinking is always fluid when a talent of Antetokounmpo’s magnitude is potentially made available, but right now the Knicks are content with their roster and focused on moving forward with what they have, according to a league source.

And Bucks coach Doc Rivers vehemently denied the idea that Antetokounmpo wants out.

“Giannis has never asked to be traded,” Rivers said on Wednesday. “Ever. I can’t make that more clear. I go to the source. I talk to the source every single day … He loves Milwaukee and he loves the Bucks.”

For his own part, Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, claimed that he was unaware of the offseason ESPN report when asked by The Post after the Bucks beat the Knicks 121-111 in Milwaukee on Oct. 28. After being told of the report, Antetokounmpo did not deny it; rather, he deflected.

“I didn’t read that article,” Antetokounmpo said at the time. “I try to stay away from all that rumors and speculation and trades. It doesn’t concern me one bit. I try to involve myself and I try to help my team win games.”

The Bucks were 3-1 at the time and had just overrun the Knicks. But now, they entered Wednesday’s clash against the Pistons in Milwaukee at 9-13 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, having lost eight of their last nine games. That included a seven-game losing streak, which culminated with that loss to the Knicks on Black Friday.

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“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Antetokounmpo said after that game. “We’ve lost seven in a row. I don’t remember the last time I lost seven in a row.”

As rumors swirled over the offseason, Antetokounmpo publicly committed himself to the Bucks, but made it clear he wanted to be in a place he felt he could compete for championships — and certainly left the door open to a change of heart if the Bucks could no longer hold up their end of the bargain.

“I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here,” Antetokounmpo said before the season. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go and it’s definitely going to be hard. We’re going to take it day-by-day, but I’m here. So, all the other extra stuff does not matter.

“I think I’ve communicated with my teammates, communicated with the people I respect and love that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, I wear this jersey, the rest does not matter. I’m locked into whatever I have in front of me. Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human too, you’re allowed to make any decision you want.”

That decision could be happening a lot sooner than six or seven months.

On the Knicks side, they entered their game against the Hornets on Wednesday at MSG at 13-7 and fourth in the East. They’ve gotten off to a mostly strong start to the season, but have not exactly proven they are the clear team to beat in the East, as they viewed themselves entering the year.

If they change their mindset and feel another move needs to be made to attain that status, Antetokounmpo would certainly be it.

Mikal Bridges, since he signed an extension over the offseason, cannot be traded until February. So if Antetokounmpo wants an imminent move, Bridges cannot be part of a Knicks package.

Regardless, a Knicks package would likely involve Karl-Anthony Towns. With two years and roughly $110 million left on his deal, the Knicks opted not to extend Towns’ contract before the Oct. 20 deadline. Towns on Tuesday, though, declared his intent to remain with the Knicks as long as he can.

“Hell yeah, I want to stay here,” Towns said. “Obviously get a chance to be home, see my family. It means more than the money, you know. So just to be able to be here with the fans, be with the family. It means a lot. I would like it to continue.”

That sentiment likely hinges on Antetokounmpo. At the moment, the ball is in Antetokounmpo’s court.