The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga is heating up, and the New York Knicks are expected to be major players in the mix. While rumors linking Antetokounmpo to New York have circulated, with varying intensity, for several years, chatter intensified over the offseason.
Now, with reports indicating that Antetokounmpo is willing to be traded before the February 5 deadline, the Knicks are poised to emerge as one of the most active suitors.
Still, assembling a package that could appeal to Milwaukee, which is likely to undergo a full rebuild if Antetokounmpo is traded, could be difficult for the Knicks. Convincing the Bucks to part with Giannis will require a substantial offer, and New York only has three of its own unprotected first-round picks over the next seven years because of previous transactions.
Trading multiple picks is further complicated by the Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from trading first-round selections in consecutive seasons.
Tim Bontemps’ OG Anunoby suggestion for the Knicks to land Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jan 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
NBA insider Tim Bontemps suggests that Karl-Anthony Towns and especially OG Anunoby could help the Knicks address their draft asset limitations.
“OG Anunoby, just auctioned off, could get you an absolute metric ton of stuff because, while OG Anunoby is not Giannis, what he is is the absolute perfect finishing piece for a title team. And there are title teams with a whole lot of stuff that OG Anunoby would be a perfect fit on,” the NBA insider remarked via the latest episode of The Hoop Collective.
“It would be a very complicated deal to pull off, and it would require a lot of jiu-jitsu to get there, but the Knicks not having picks, I think the Knicks could turn their stuff into a lot of stuff.”
Nov 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and forwards OG Anunoby (8) and Mikal Bridges (25) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Anunoby, 28, is in his fourth year with the Knicks following his 2023 trade from the Toronto Raptors. Recognized as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders, he has also become a consistent threat from three-point range, enhancing his value for New York and across the league.
To fit Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary under the second-apron trade rules, the Knicks would need to clear significant cap space, and Towns and Anunoby are the most logical candidates. Towns is earning $53.1 million this season, while Anunoby is making $39.6 million, making them the team’s two highest-paid players.
Both players also have multiple years remaining on their contracts beyond this season. Towns holds a $61 million player option in 2027, while Anunoby has a $48.3 million option in 2028.