The New York Knicks will always be central to NBA trade discussions. With the Milwaukee Bucks underperforming to start the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the middle of everyone’s favorite trade speculations. NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported that not only is a Giannis Knicks trade a possibility, but some executives think that trading for Karl-Anthony Towns this summer may have been done with a Giannis trade in mind.
Did The Knicks Get Towns To Trade For A Bigger Star?
Milwaukee Bucks Standings Fuel Giannis Trade Rumors
Despite Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, the Bucks have since struggled, with early playoff exits over the last two seasons. This year’s slow start under new head coach Doc Rivers only adds to the speculation around Giannis’ future with the team. The Bucks have started the season 1-5, even with Giannis playing at an All-NBA level.
Things may get FREAKY in the Garden…
While the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors headline the rumor mill, a new name has entered into the mix for a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, per @TheSteinLine.
Enter the New York Knicks.
After trading for Karl-Anthony Towns in… pic.twitter.com/YlZsijTxcR— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 4, 2024
The recent addition of star guard Damian Lillard hasn’t played out as Bucks fans hoped. This is now fueling rumors that the Bucks may explore major changes if the season doesn’t turn around. You can be sure that if Giannis becomes available, every team, including the Knicks, will take a shot at getting him.
Giannis Knicks Trade Possibilities
While the Knicks have shown interest in Giannis, their recent moves may limit their flexibility in any trade talks. The trade for Towns required the Knicks to part ways with Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle, assets that could have been useful in pursuing Giannis. However, NBA insider Marc Stein suggested recently that acquiring Towns might have been a strategic decision. There’s a chance the trade was to position the Knicks for a future deal involving the Greek Freak, as Towns could serve as a valuable trade piece.
"There's a rising sense of confidence that if things go badly in Milwaukee that Giannis could be available for trade, would really force his way out of Milwaukee, in the next year."@sportsreiter pic.twitter.com/9V4MovUmSw
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 31, 2024
However, some question whether the Knicks can realistically gather the necessary assets to outbid teams like the Miami Heat or Brooklyn Nets. Given the team’s limited remaining assets after the Towns and Mikal Bridges acquisitions, a Giannis Knicks trade is quite unlikely. For now, New York’s recent trades may signal that management wants to make a deep playoff run with their current roster rather than betting heavily on an uncertain pursuit of Giannis.
Knicks Might Contend Without A Giannis Trade
The Knicks’ 3-2 start has showcased promising performances from Towns. Towns is averaging 22.2 points and 11.2 rebounds while shooting 54.9% from the field and 64.7% from three. The big man’s immediate impact on the team is hard to ignore.
Towns’ role on the team is solidifying, and the Knicks only two losses have been to the other best teams in the East (both entered the season with much more continuity than the Knicks). Nevertheless, should an opportunity to bring Antetokounmpo to New York emerge, management would likely face tough decisions on whether to disrupt their current lineup.
Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future with the Bucks will continue to keep the NBA rumor mill churning. With the Knicks’ recent transactions and limited trade assets, their chances of landing Giannis appear slim. The appeal of bringing one of the league’s top players to New York will always be there. For now, the Knicks seem focused on building cohesion with their new roster, hoping that Towns and Bridges can lead the team to success in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.
