ESPN’s Evan Cohen just dropped a Knicks trade take bold enough to make Madison Square Garden gasp.
On Wednesday’s episode of “Unsportsmanlike,” an ESPN Radio show, Cohen proposed a deal that could get the Milwaukee Bucks’ attention.
“You know the player you should actually offer for Giannis — Jalen Brunson," Cohen began, via Instagram. “Dead serious ... Jalen Brunson is the player you should actually offer for Giannis. Why? Because if you want to get the Bucks’ attention, you’ve got to offer something of value. They’re not going to do it for Karl-Anthony Towns, they’re not going to do it for OG (Anunoby).”
A trade of this magnitude would send shockwaves throughout the NBA world.
Brunson is largely credited for having been the catalyst for the resurgence of the Knicks franchise, which hasn’t won a championship since the 1972-73 season.
With Brunson leading the way, the Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals the last three years. A trade for Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, would serve to help the franchise take a step forward.
“Jalen Brunson, as wild as that may sound on the surface, Knicks fans absolutely love him, but that gets their attention,” Cohen continued. “And you know what? In the biggest of moments, he’s amazing, but he doesn’t play defense like Giannis does. You can find a serviceable point guard a lot easier than you can find somebody like Giannis. I’m just saying.”
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks and Bucks had discussions this summer about a blockbuster trade involving Antetokounmpo, but the Knicks “did not make a strong enough offer.”
The talks reportedly took place after the Knicks agreed to sign Mikal Bridges to an extension. But Bridges is not eligible to be traded until Feb. 1, 2026, per SNY’s Ian Begley.
One NBA executive told NJ Advance Media of the Knicks’ offer:
“Whatever it was, I’m sure it didn’t even come close to making a deal for a 2-time MVP.”
Antetokounmpo will make about $54 million this season and on Oct. 1, 2026, he becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through 2030-31, per ESPN.
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