Giannis Antetokounmpo Confirms Undeniable Knicks Truth

Arguments for and against Antetokounmpo's inclusion carry equal weight: acquiring his services would no doubt cost at least some bit of the core group that reached last year's final four. But if there was any legitimate doubt that the Knicks had a championship chase case, adding a two-time MVP to a fold that would more than likely include established franchise face Jalen Brunson.

In any event, Knicks management has perfect additions to their resumes: the ongoing Antetokounmpo situation is undeniable proof that Manhattan is finally an ideal basketball destination again.

Metropolitan offseasons have followed a similar script: the first act lands in the action and fantasy genres, rife with dreams of landing elite talents from abroad; Antetokounmpo is far from the first name to go for a trip on the New York rumor mill, as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and more have taken at least one spin. Drama, sometimes even comedy, sets in later when fantasy basketball gives way to second fiddles that have to be passed off as headliners.

When the latter plays out on screen, players have fulfilled their ends of the bargain. The Knicks were lampooned for marketing Julius Randle as an elite signing in lieu of getting Durant and Irving but he wound up becoming one of the stirrers of the Knicks' future both in (three All-Star appearances) and out (being the headliner of the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns) of Manhattan. Even franchise face Jalen Brunson was a consolation prize for not obtaining Donovan Mitchell before his maiden metropolitan voyage tipped off.

The lack of truly elite interest, however, was an indictment of a management group that worked through several false messiahs, such as Isiah Thomas, Donnie Walsh, and—perhaps most infamously—Phil Jackson. The presidency of Leon Rose, however, has created a palpable interest in contributors from abroad attempting to prove that they're what New York has been missing for over five decades.

Not too long ago, the idea of a talent like Antetokounmpo would mostly coast on the idea on the idea of New York being New York, the appeal of the new soundtrack, of the city that never sleeps. An era where destinations are more accessible than ever mostly rendered that idea moot a while ago, but Rose and his co-conspirators have aseembled a group meant to contend in the past, present, and future.

Granted, Antetokounmpo wasn't alone in pushing this narrative forward, as accomplished talents like Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet willing to battle it out for a mere final roster spot is an equally clear sign that the Knicks are within striking distance of hardwood nirvana.

But those names don't carry the metaphorical—and literal—weight of Antetokounmpo's. The fact that the Knicks are in the position of being able to essentially turn down the services of Antetokounmpo and live to tell the tale is the best win for a management group that was in dire need of one last signature move ... ironically earning it without any official entry to the transaction log.

It takes a while to decide who truly wins a trade. Even without a press release, the Antetokounmpo gossip confirms they've already prevailed.