Another wrinkle is being added to the New York Knicks\u2019 attempts to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And quite frankly, we didn\u2019t see this one coming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Portland Trail Blazers have officially entered the running for the two-time MVP.<\/p>\n
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, after telegraphing a willingness to facilitate Giannis\u2019 relocation elsewhere, Portland \u201chas also expressed its own interest<\/a> to the Bucks that it would like to acquire\u201d the 31-year-old.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is seriously problematic for both reasons that are obvious, and not-so-obvious. The Knicks have enough obstacles to overcome<\/a> in their pursuit of Giannis, perhaps the most notable of which is they will never boast the most attractive outright package relative to the field. The Blazers joining the fracas increases the scope of that field, making it even more difficult for New York to emerge victorious.<\/p>\n Yet, because it\u2019s Portland specifically bursting onto the scene, the addition of another suitor is uniquely damaging to the Knicks\u2019 chances.<\/p>\n The Knicks were counting on the Blazers to help them land Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/p>\n As Fischer previously reported, the Blazers have apparently \u201clong admired\u201d<\/a> Mikal Bridges. That adulation was the basis for many wondering whether New York could acquire the rights to some of the Milwaukee draft obligations Portland currently owns (2028, 2029, and 2030).\u00a0<\/p>\n On top of that, the Knicks have shown interest in landing<\/a> Jrue Holiday\u2014who Giannis won a championship alongside, and wants to team up with<\/a> again.<\/p>\n Both of these hypotheticals implode if the Blazers want a crack at the Bucks\u2019 megastar themselves. It was already a stretch to believe they\u2019d fork over multiple Milwaukee picks for Bridges. They have zero reason to do so if Giannis is now their primary target.<\/p>\n