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The New York Knicks were the first team named in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors and expect to offer a big offseason trade package for him.
The New York Knicks were the first team ever publicly linked to a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. While other franchises have since entered the mix, and likely more will come this offseason, the Knicks remain in the hunt for a trade to acquire one of the hottest potentially available commodities in recent NBA memory, and they just got a bit more help in trying to court the two-time Finals MVP.
Antetokounmpo was present at the 2026 WWE Elimination Chamber event in Chicago on Friday night. After being shown on camera, one of the announcers for the event attempted to do his best to persuade the Greek forward to join the Knicks this offseason.
“Please Giannis, please come to New York!” announcerMichael Cole said. “Please come to the Garden! Please!”
ClutchPoints
“Please Giannis, please come to New York”
Michael Cole was BEGGING Giannis Antetokounmpo to join the knicks at the WWE 😂
After all the speculation about his future with the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo stayed with his current team past the trade deadline.However, should he indicate he won’t sign an extension with the Bucks, which he can do on October 1st, Milwaukee is expected to beonce again listening to trade offers for the most prolific player in franchise history.
Knicks Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
As mentioned, the Knicks were the first team ever linked toan Antetokounmpotrade, asit was reported by Shams Charania that both the team and star had mutual interest over the summer. However, as the newscame out so close to the start of the season, New Yorkcouldn’t take advantage of his interest.
Shams Charania
New York emerged as the only team Giannis Antetokounmpo desired outside of Milwaukee in the offseason, sources told ESPN, and the Knicks and Bucks engaged in talks for a window of time.
Inside the clouds leaving Giannis’ future hanging in the balance:
But after a few months and more reports by Charania, the Knicks, along with the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves, all emerged as top candidates to land Antetokounmpo in a trade before the deadline.
Though hewasn’t moved, NewYork’s interest waned as the saga went along, anddidn’t end up making a big push for the star at the deadline. However, that likelywon’t be the case this summer, as the Knicksare expected to once again target the 31-year-old in a trade, should he decide his time in Milwaukee has come to an end.
Additionally, the growing frustrations with Karl-Anthony Towns over the course of this season might make New York more interested in a roster change that would see them pair Antetokounmpo with franchise star Jalen Brunson. Itwouldn’t come cheap, and while the Knicks might not have the assets to trade for the star compared to other teams potentially in the mix, thatwon’t stop them, despite the uphill battle the team might face.
“The only way for this to happen is if Giannis personally thinks that New York is the best fit for basketball and lifestyle, and that he is ready to convince Milwaukee to accept that,”Jayesh Pagar wrote for Sports Illustrated. “Having been a franchise that is struggling currently, and if they do not get the expected results, it will be one Giannis decision away from changing the whole trajectory of its history, and with this, these trade talks are not, andshouldn’t be, over.”
Knicks Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Package
Though the Knicks will face some steep competition for a potential Antetokounmpo trade this summer, likely from the teams previously mentioned as well as the Los Angeles Lakers and a few other wild-card franchises, the good news is that waiting until this summer puts the front office in a better position to land the superstar from the Bucks.
New York will have more first-round picks available to bemoved and willhave more clarity on how it wants to address thefuture of the team. However, it would likely require Towns and other potential assetslikeMikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or whoever else they are willing to put in a trade package to play at a high level and subsequently increase their individual value.
“This offseason, Leon Rose and company will be able to construct a much more desirable package to dangle in front of Milwaukee, one that could include both their 2026 and 2033 first-round picks, the latter of which theywouldn’t have been eligible to use at the deadline,”Mark Nilon wrote for Daily Knicks earlier in February. “On top of this, as recent trends suggest, big man Karl-AnthonyTowns’ (the high-priced contract needed tobe sent outbound to make the money work) stock has actively been surging, what with his recent All-Star selection and NewYork’s eight-game win streak.”
While there are still major questions about Towns, he has at least ramped up his play a bit after the major struggles early in the year. Along with him, the Knicks would likely have to include either Bridges or Anunoby, Miles McBride, another young player like Mohamed Diawara, and all the first-round picks they can move, in a trade package that would likely have to be a multi-team deal to land Antetokounmpo from the Bucks.
Other trade packages involving other players for Antetokounmpo could be on the table, as Brunson is likely the only untouchable player on NewYork’sroster.However, it will come down to how desperate the team is to add him, and a lot of that willcome down to when orif the Knicks lose in the playoffs this year.
The Lakers have the cap space, and other teams might have better assets, but based on all the reporting, if Antetokounmpo wants to go to the Knicks,it’s hard to see Milwaukee sending him elsewhere, considering all the successhe’s brought to the franchise in his first 13 NBA seasons.