Nov 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan sits court side sits courtside during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
New York Knicks owner James Dolan loves the way his team has been constructed so much that he does not think they need to make a big swing for Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“That’s what I think our plan is,” Dolan told WFAN on Monday. “I talk to [team president Leon Rose] every day and, look, nothing is impossible. I won’t rule anything out, but who do you want to lose [in a trade with the Bucks]? You don’t get something without giving something. Who do you want to lose?”
A deal for the nine-time All-Star would likely include Karl-Anthony Towns and a bevy of draft picks, among other assets. But Antetokounmpo is still as dominant as ever, averaging 29.3 points per game, and the Knicks have looked far from the championship contenders that they are being tabbed as this season.
They have lost four straight and were embarrassed 121-90 on Monday night, shortly after Dolan’s comments, by the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Pistons, who were down two of their starters and were on the second leg of a back-to-back.
This is the Knicks’ longest losing streak since December 2022, coinciding with the absence of Josh Hart, who is recovering from an ankle injury and is nearing a return. Still, his unavailability should not derail a so-called title contender like this. They have trailed by at least 19 points in the third quarter in each of their last three games.
Nov 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring his 21,000th career point in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Nov 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring his 21,000th career point in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Pulling off a trade for Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly bring the offense to another level and provide as imposing a one-two punch alongside Jalen Brunson as any other tandem in the league. It does not necessarily help with what is becoming a glaring problem: their perimeter defense. Opposing teams are shooting 38.1% from three-point range against the Knicks, which ranks as the fourth-worst mark in the NBA. The Bucks are second-worst at 39.5%.
Perhaps this is just a bobble that even the best teams ultimately go through during the ebbs and flows of a full regular season. At least before Monday night’s debacle, that’s what Dolan suggested was happening.
“We should win the Finals,” Dolan said. “…Anything can happen in sports, but getting to the Finals, we absolutely have to do… we should win.”
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