Trade season chatter is already heating up before the NBA’s opening tip, and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has proposed one of the boldest ideas yet — a three-team blockbuster that would shake the league’s balance of power.
In the hypothetical deal, the Milwaukee Bucks would receive Fred VanVleet, Josh Hart, rookie guard Reed Sheppard, two first-round picks from the Houston Rockets (2028 and 2030), and four second-round picks from the New York Knicks. The Knicks would land two-time MVP Antetokounmpo, and the Rockets would acquire Jalen Brunson, addressing their need for a point guard after Fred VanVleet’s recent injury.
A Blockbuster Featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson
Bailey’s proposed framework reimagines three franchises with drastically different motivations. For Houston, adding Brunson would instantly accelerate its win-now timeline following the Kevin Durant trade, which already signaled an all-in pursuit of contention.
“Acquiring Brunson would make it easier to head that direction,” Bailey wrote, noting that the deal’s structure allows the Rockets to add a star-level guard without giving up Amen Thompson, one of the team’s prized young players.
For New York, this would be the culmination of long-standing speculation about Antetokounmpo’s interest in the franchise. Bailey’s proposal mirrors conversations that have persisted since summer, when reports surfaced that the Knicks and Bucks engaged in exploratory trade talks centered on the two-time MVP.
Although nothing materialized, credible reports indicated that Antetokounmpo and his representatives viewed New York as a preferred destination if he were ever to leave Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Reiterates Loyalty — For Now
Despite the swirling rumors, Antetokounmpo continues to project calm and commitment. Speaking to reporters this week, the Bucks superstar doubled down on his loyalty to Milwaukee while acknowledging the human element of potential change.
“I’ve said this many times: I want to be in a situation that I can win,” Antetokounmpo said. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go.”
He also added a hint of realism about the future.
“Now, if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that’s human, too,” he said.
Antetokounmpo compared the offseason to a “temptation period,” explaining that trade speculation and outside interest are part of modern NBA life.
“There’s going to be a lot of people that are going to approach me or approach my agent and say this is a possibility, that’s a possibility,” he said. “But at the end of the day, ultimately, I’m going to make a decision. And my decision today is that I’m here and I’m committed to this team.”
The comments echoed his consistent stance since summer — loyal to Milwaukee’s present but open to reevaluating based on the team’s direction.
New York Knicks’ Pursuit of a Superstar
The Knicks’ interest in Antetokounmpo isn’t new. Over the past year, New York’s front office has methodically positioned itself with draft capital and movable contracts to pursue the next available superstar.
Bailey’s mock trade imagines the Knicks finally cashing in, giving up Josh Hart and draft assets to pair Antetokounmpo with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, potentially forming one of the most physically dominant frontcourts in the league.
Even if purely speculative, the concept underscores the Knicks’ long-term ambition — and their readiness to strike should Antetokounmpo ever formally request a trade.
A Realistic But Distant Scenario
While this deal is a creative exercise, it also reflects real undercurrents in the league. The Rockets are operating with urgency, the Knicks are waiting for their superstar swing, and the Bucks remain under pressure to keep Antetokounmpo happy.
For now, Antetokounmpo insists he’s “locked in” with Milwaukee, saying, “I’m locked in to this team. I’m locked in to these guys, to this group and to this coaching staff and to myself.”
Still, his acknowledgment that minds can change ensures that speculation will linger — and that proposals like Bailey’s will continue to spark intrigue around the NBA.