The NBA trade deadline came and went, and despite all the rumors, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Antetokounmpo remained with the team that drafted him in 2013.
Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks is still in question, and the New York Knicks could emerge as a serious landing spot for the nine-time All-Star and two-time MVP.
New York's potential trade package that it can offer the Bucks for Antetokounmpo just got stronger. This summer, the Knicks will have two tradeable first-round draft picks they can offer Milwaukee, possibly making a proposed trade package more enticing.
Knicks' core remains strong
Adding guard Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans and trading Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls were the Knicks' two transactions leading up to Thursday's deadline.
A core led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns is intact, with Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges as productive contributors on both sides of the ball. Owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose are confident in the roster as currently constructed.
But if the Knicks fail to win or reach the NBA Finals, all bets may be off the table, and the front office may seriously consider using those two first-round draft picks and a handful of starting-caliber players to pull off a blockbuster trade for Antetokounmpo.
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