It would not be an NBA offseason with out the New York Knicks being linked to a star. This time it is Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a report by ESPN’s Shams Charania including gasoline to the hearth that he might want out of Milwaukee.
“He is nonetheless in his means of evaluating – asking himself some laborious questions.” @ShamsCharania on Giannis’s future in Milwaukee. #fearthedeer pic.twitter.com/PC5MvLObiM
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) August 4, 2025
That, mixed with a report by James Edwards of The Athletic mentioning that the Knicks have already got plans to make a run at Giannis, and there could also be one thing there. The Knicks truly having sufficient to commerce for Giannis is a little bit of a pipe dream.
Nonetheless, it is maybe not utterly out of the realm of chance. New York not too long ago re-signed Mikal Bridges and will have tipped their hand on their intention to doubtlessly commerce him within the occasion of Giannis demanding a commerce.
The Knicks must get inventive to land Giannis
The Knicks opted to signal Bridges to an extension on August 4th. That enables them to presumably commerce him in six months, which might be earlier than the 2026 NBA Commerce Deadline.
Nonetheless, they in all probability would not commerce Bridges to Milwaukee for Giannis straight. As an alternative, they might commerce him to a different group for the belongings wanted to bundle in a deal for Giannis.
Or, they might merely do a three-team deal through which Bridges will get despatched to a 3rd group and the belongings obtained for him get rerouted to the Bucks. Then once more, these plans hinge on Bridges having a greater season than he did final yr. That might elevate his commerce worth, with one other playoff group doubtlessly being extra prepared to amass him.
Or, the Knicks may gauge curiosity in Karl-Anthony Cities, along with his contract matching up extra carefully to Giannis’.
Can the Knicks land Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Rather a lot must go proper for the Knicks to finish up with Giannis. First, he must demand a commerce, which is actually doable however not a assure. Then the Knicks must make the lower so far as potential groups he’d be prepared to play for. Even when these issues occur, New York would nonetheless should work some critical magic.
Sarcastically, the preliminary commerce that landed the Knicks Bridges might value them the prospect to amass Giannis. They traded 5 first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets within the deal so as to add Bridges, and that has confirmed to be an enormous overpay.
Had they managed to carry onto a few these picks, that will have made a possible run at Giannis quite a bit simpler. As an alternative, they must depend on a 3rd group to assist them in a possible blockbuster. It is technically nonetheless doable, however the Knicks would wish critical assist to make it occur.
