Since last summer, many NBA analysts and New York sports media figures have connected the New York Knicks with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
A report last week indicated that “multiple teams have sensed that the Bucks are more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers” ahead of the trade deadline this Thursday. However, it seems the Knicks, aiming for their first title since 1973, may not be part of such negotiations.
Do Knicks believe they need Giannis Antetokounmpo for an NBA Finals win?
“The Knicks have confidence in this team, which could be a wise choice or a mistake,” said NBA insider Brian Windhorst during a Monday morning segment on ESPN, according to Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media. “They believed in this roster last summer when Giannis was somewhat available. They didn’t make a strong offer back then to move talks forward. Now, to win a bid for Giannis, they might need a three- or four-team trade to exchange some players for other assets before making a solid offer to the Bucks. That doesn’t seem to be happening.”
The Knicks improved to a 31-18 record this season after a 112-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. In the Eastern Conference, only the 36-12 Detroit Pistons had a better record than the Knicks after the weekend.
Recent reports from Eric Nehm, Sam Amick, Nick Friedell, and John Hollinger of The Athletic listed the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat as potential destinations for Antetokounmpo. On Sunday, Michael Pina from The Ringer suggested that the Cleveland Cavaliers might be planning a significant offer for him.
Meanwhile, Zagoria reported that an NBA executive mentioned that a trade for Antetokounmpo might be more likely during the summer. The two-time MVP could become a free agent in the summer of 2027 if he decides not to pick up the player option in his current contract.
Is the Knicks’ current standing preventing them from pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo?
“The Knicks are not aggressively seeking Giannis right now because they like their current team and feel that the Eastern Conference is not overwhelmingly strong. Even though this team has its flaws, all of the East has limitations,” Windhorst added. “If Giannis isn’t traded and the Knicks don’t win the East this year, they might revisit this situation.”
The Knicks are set to play against the Washington Wizards (13-35) on Tuesday night. It would take a significant downturn for the Knicks that evening for them to reconsider a potential trade for Antetokounmpo before the deadline at 3 p.m. ET this Thursday.