NBA News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Knicks' Mike Brown shuts down Giannis trade chatter

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Knicks' Mike Brown shuts down Giannis Antetokounmpo trade chatter

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 3:58 PM ET

When Mike Brown took over the hot seat for the New York Knicks, he knew he was stepping into a pressure cooker. Not only is he coaching in one of the biggest basketball markets on Earth, but he will be judged on how he can improve a team that is coming off an Eastern Conference Finals run.

To make matters worse, Brown is now being forced to navigate reports that the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks explored trade discussions involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while those reports are historical in nature, they can certainly create some unwanted talking points as Brown tries to implement his own ideas and philosophy into his new team.

Mike Brown shuts down Giannis Antetokounmpo topic

It was no surprise to see Brown shut down questions regarding the two-time MVP when speaking to the media on Tuesday.

"I don't get into that stuff," Brown said. "We're in a great spot right now. Our guys have been playing their tails off. They're starting to pick what we're doing defensively; offensively we're getting a little bit more comfortable - especially trying to play fast. That's what I'm concentrating on now. Like I said, I love our guys and I think they're starting to enjoy playing the way we're trying to play on both ends."

Asked about MIL-NYK Giannis trade talks in August, Mike Brown said after practice today: "I don't get into that stuff. We're in a great spot right now. Our guys have been playing their tails off. They're starting to pick what we're doing defensively; offensively we're getting a…
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 7, 2025

There's no doubt that Antetokounmpo would improve the Knicks. However, trades are a two-way street, and New York would likely have needed to gut its roster to bring him to Madison Square Garden. And it's that type of discussion that can distract a team, especially when the season isn't even underway.

Knicks are genuine contenders

Despite the recent discussions surrounding Antetokounmpo, Brown must ensure his Knicks team is fully locked in for the start of the season. The Eastern Conference is wide open following injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum during the 2025 playoffs.

If the Knicks can lean into their new style of play and Brown can strike a balance between offense and defense, they should be favorites to secure a spot in the NBA Finals. Sure, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be right there with them, but the Knicks have more depth across the board, and that should win out over a seven-game series.

It's for that same reason that New York should resist pursuing Antetokounmpo, at least during the season. Everything the front office has done in recent years has been geared toward getting to this point. It would be foolish to pivot now when a championship is within touching distance.

The pursuit of Antetokounmpo, or any other star, can wait until next summer. Or, better yet, until it's time to revamp the current roster in a few years. Until then, championships should be the only thing on New York's mind.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: