Knicks Still in On NBA’s Biggest Trade Target

Bucks Want to Keep Giannis

The Bucks have maintained that they’d like to work things out with Giannis and keep the 2021 Finals MVP in Milwaukee for his career if he wants to. It seems that Antetokounmpo wishes to be a Buck for life, but is uneasy about the future of the roster. While I have no clue whether Giannis will ultimately choose to stay, one thing is certain. There is zero chance of winning a second title in Milwaukee during his prime.

Milwaukee has one of the bleakest futures in the league, and that’s including Giannis. They have few draft assets to end the decade, no promising young players, and are one of the oldest, most expensive rosters in basketball. Brook Lopez is 37, declining, and could be on the move. Their only trade asset to build around Giannis is now benched with a torn achilles (Damian Lillard). There’s simply no way out of the darkness for the Bucks without trading their franchise player.

Maybe Giannis decides that loyalty is his top priority, and stays a Buck for the rest of his career. Dirk Nowitzki did. It would be commendable to stick with the franchise that gave him his first shot at stardom, but if he does, he can kiss his chances at a second title goodbye. Time will tell whether he requests a trade.

Can New York Afford Him?

There are Two Possible Giannis Antetokounmpo Knicks Trades

The most basic trade for NY to bring Giannis to the Mecca is easy: send Karl-Anthony Towns to Milwaukee. It’s a straight up, one-for-one player deal for almost identical salaries. The Knicks would have to sweeten the deal with two or more first-round draft picks. Unfortunately, New York doesn’t have close to the best draft assets, which makes it much harder to bring in the superstar.

Another way to build this trade is to center it around OG Anunoby. Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Miles McBride could be an enticing package for the Bucks to build their future. The money works, and that is certainly an excellent trade package. New York will have to hope that teams like San Antonio, Houston, or Oklahoma City don’t get involved, which seems unlikely. However, if Antetokounmpo wants to play at Madison Square Garden for an iconic franchise, he could demand his destination. Milwaukee may honor his wishes, considering everything he’s done for them.

In short, the Knicks are still a very unlikely suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo. It remains a pipe dream that the NBA legend will suit up for New York next year, but it is becoming more likely by the day. If possible, Leon Rose should do everything he can to make it happen.