The Knicks might finally be ready to throw the biggest punch of the offseason. Forget small moves. Forget waiting around. The hype is about Giannis Antetokounmpo, and New York seems ready to test Milwaukee’s resolve.
The timing feels obvious. The Bucks cut ties with Damian Lillard, stretching his deal, and the team looks stuck in neutral. Antetokounmpo has only two years left on his deal, and Milwaukee doesn’t look like a title contender.
As Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton pointed out, “to put it bluntly, Milwaukee’s front office may not have a choice.” The Knicks, meanwhile, are viewed alongside Cleveland as favorites in the East, and one giant swing could tilt the balance. Recent talk about the Bucks’ roster shows how tricky their situation is, similar to when an analyst cleared up a misunderstanding about their plans with Jokic and Antetokounmpo.
Why Knicks Fans Are Talking
Here’s the trade framework Hutton generally laid out. New York gets Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Martin, AJ Green, and a 2030 second-round pick. Milwaukee takes back Karl-Anthony Towns, rookie Noah Clowney, and a pile of draft picks that stretch out through 2030.
For the Knicks, the logic is clear. Mitchell Robinson can anchor the middle next to Giannis. Antetokounmpo can also slide to center in smaller lineups. The move doesn’t gut the roster and actually adds depth with Green and Martin, both on expiring deals. “The addition of Antetokounmpo bolsters New York’s core and potentially extends its championship window,” Hutton wrote, noting how rare it is for a nine-time All-Star to land in a market like New York.
Fans see the upside. The Knicks already spent over $500 million locking in Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Towns. Bringing Giannis into that group would be a statement. Still, some wonder if trading Towns leaves too much pressure on Robinson to stay healthy.
The Bucks would be starting over, but with Towns, cap relief, and three first-round picks, they could pivot quickly. Hutton stressed the trade moves Milwaukee under the first apron and resets the clock on a rebuild.
Of course, Giannis holds the cards. He can walk in 2027, and teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Heat are waiting with cap space. The Knicks know the only way to control the situation is to strike early. And Antetokounmpo’s own comments, like naming the NBA legend he wants to train with next, keep fans guessing about his future.
For now, it’s simple. The Knicks smell opportunity. The Bucks see risk. And the rest of the league watches to see if New York finally pushes all its chips in.
The post New York Knicks Add Giannis Antetokounmpo In Blockbuster Trade Proposal That Would Somehow Keep Their Core Intact originally published on Total Pro Sports.