With NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the block ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, the Knicks have been one of the teams most heavily linked to a blockbuster trade.
But at least one NBA Insider says the Knicks are not headed in that direction.
“The Knicks believe in this team, and that could end up being an excellent assessment, or that could end up being a mistake,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Monday on air.
After Sunday’s 112-100 win over LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers, the Knicks (31-18) have won six straight and are tied for second in the East.
“But they believed in this team last summer when Giannis was sort of loosely available in those discussions, they didn’t make an aggressive offer at that time to progress those talks,” Windhorst added. “If they want to win a bidding war for Giannis now, I think it’s going to take a three- or four-team trade where they take some of their players, go out and get other assets for them and then come back to the Bucks and make very strong offers. That is just not happening.
“They are not showing that aggression to get Giannis right now and I think that’s because they like this team, they don’t think the Eastern Conference is a giant mountain to climb. And while this team has flaws, the entire East is limited in some capacity.
“And so if Giannis doesn’t get traded and the Knicks don’t win the East this year, this could be revisited.”
The Knicks have been linked to Giannis since last summer, but nothing has happened thus far.
He is making 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.
Karl-Anthony Towns is making $53.1 million this season, so the Knicks would have to add someone or something to the deal to make it an even swap for the two big men.