Sitting at 40-21 entering the final quarter of the season, the Knicks have had an awesome 2024-25 so far. It’s been their best regular season performance since the 1990s, also the last time they had sustained success. Unfortunately, expectations are the thief of joy, and New York has already shifted into a championship mentality. The organization and fans are desperate for a deep playoff run despite being in year one of their new core. Even with a great record, their disappointing performance against top teams has caused many to give up on NY’s title hopes.
There’s still time to reach the level of Boston, Cleveland, and OKC, and anything can happen in postseason basketball. However, if the critics are proven right about this core’s championship ceiling (or lack thereof), New York may pivot off this group faster than anyone expected. Several big-time players could be on the trade block this summer, and Leon Rose will certainly consider making a deal.
3 Star Trades Knicks May Consider If They Flameout In Playoffs
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Knicks have long been rumored to be interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo if he ever parted ways with Milwaukee. Who wouldn’t want to get their hands on the two-time MVP who is still a consensus top-three player in basketball? Giannis has quietly been having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 30.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists on 60.5% from the field. One could argue he’s been a much better player recently than his back-to-back MVPs in 2019 and 2020. He just hasn’t had a chance on the big stage because of Milwaukee’s decline and his own injuries.
His Bucks have sneakily climbed to the fourth seed in the East at 36-25 after a dreadful 2-8 start. However, they’re still an extreme longshot to win the title and are the clear fourth-best team in the conference. Antetokounmpo still has two more years left on his deal before a player option in 2027-28, but there have been rumblings of his exit for multiple years. Milwaukee is a good team, but are aging and have a slim path to contention as Giannis’ prime ends. If it becomes obvious that he will leave in free agency after the 2027 season, the Bucks should trade him to recoup some assets for their all-time great. The sooner they do this, the better. Also, Giannis could force their hand as soon as this summer if they have another disappointing playoff exit.
The future Hall of Famer just turned 30 years old and is only improving. Rose should put his best offer on the table in a heartbeat if Giannis becomes available this summer. A trade would likely involve either Karl-Anthony Towns or OG Anunoby plus another player and several draft picks. It would be an all-in move, but would vault New York directly into the top of the league.
2. Jaren Jackson Jr.
It might seem crazy that Memphis would look to deal their star forward after his best season. They may simply have no choice. If the Grizzlies lose early in the playoffs in 2025, it’s feasible that Jaren Jackson Jr. could want out of Memphis as they choose between him and Ja Morant. Ideally, they would keep both players. Unfortunately, if “Triple J” earns All-NBA or DPOY honors this year, he will be eligible for a supermax extension that a small market team like Memphis may be unwilling to hand out. In the wake of the Luka Doncic trade, it is clear that these massive contracts make owners uneasy. Of course, the leverage of being the only team that can give Jackson the supermax could keep him around. However, that could just mean he is extended this summer and traded later on.
With the Knicks’ biggest deficiency being their defensive front-court, bringing in the perennial DPOY candidate would be an instant solution. Jackson is arguably the best defender in basketball and has ascended to new heights offensively in 2025. He’s also just 25 years old and would provide an extended window with Jalen Brunson and beyond. Again, Jackson’s situation is murkier than Antetokounmpo’s because of the supermax implications, but there’s a chance he’s shopped as soon as this summer. If so, Rose should pounce.
3. Kevin Durant
The first two guys on this list are can’t miss targets for the Knicks. In other words, I would give up whatever it takes to bring either Jackson or Antetokounmpo to the Big Apple, within reason. I put Kevin Durant here simply because I believe Rose would consider trading for the legend, not because it would be the right move. Durant is an iconic player who is somehow still elite (26.9 PPG on 63.5% true shooting). Unfortunately, he’s also going to be 37 years old on opening night. Although his game is timeless and he shows no signs of slowing down, parting ways with players in their 20s and draft compensation for a couple of shots at a title would be an unacceptable move.
New York has worked for a half-decade to reach this point. It would be such a waste to blow everything up after one season of their new core for a 37-year-old player who hasn’t proved to be a playoff winner since 2019. I don’t blame him for many of his postseason failures. He’s just not good enough anymore to justify quitting on a sustainable runway like NY’s.
He will almost certainly be dealt this summer after Phoenix’s disastrous 2025 campaign. He has one more year on his deal and would likely demand a max extension anywhere he joins. To do so would be uncharacteristic of Rose’s philosophy, and I find it unlikely. Nevertheless, ugly playoff exits change the mood quickly within franchises, and New York could be headed toward that. If they do choose to bring in Durant six years after he scorned them for the team across the river, it could be a team-altering mistake. However, they certainly will at least consider it.
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