Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks
The Knicks finally had a run-of-the-mill blowout win over a tank-special team on Sunday, as they hosed the Wizards–who have been doing a special type of tanking lately, with an impressive 16-game losing streak on hand. The Knicks have now won six straight, but had raised some concerns in recent days over their terrible starts against terrible teams, and the way they’ve had to scramble for wins over the Jazz, Pacers, Nets and injury-addled Warriors.
But New York is back on track with an easy one over Washington, and things will heat up from there. The Pelicans, who have played well over the past month-plus, come to MSG on Tuesday and the Knicks then get the Thunder and Rockets on the road this week.
New York is currently a half-game behind the Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the East, and the reality is, none of that matters. This is a team built to win the conference, especially in a moment in which the conference is relatively on the downswing. The Knicks are expected to be in the Finals this year. If they’re not, expect changes–maybe even the big one, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Knicks Link Just Won’t Die
Ah, yes, you remember Giannis Antetokounmpo–it was only two months ago that speculation about him being traded at the NBA deadline dominated the league. The Knicks were not really in discussions on Antetokounmpo at that point, but there was at least some talk (more of a feeling-out than a negotiation) about a deal for him last summer.
This summer, the Bucks‘ situation is likely to come to a head, because Antetokounmpo will need to decide whether he will sign a long-term deal to stay in Milwaukee. If he won’t, the sweepstakes will kick off.
If the Knicks are coming off an NBA championship victory by the time Antetokounmpo’s trade market hits a fever pitch, then consider the Knicks out on a potential deal. In any other scenario, though, expect the Knicks to be in the thick of discussions on the Bucks star. If the Knicks aren’t this year’s champs, there figure to be changes.
Execs See Knicks as No. 2 on List of Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Spots
According to NBA executives, the Knicks are still one of the favorites to trade for Antetokounmpo–No. 2 on the list behind the Lakers, in fact. For one thing, he has leverage in deciding where he might want to play next, because he will be the one signing and extension–if he does not want to play for a particular team, he can simply say he won’t re-sign there, and that could kill a potential trade.
In that light, a straight swap for Karl-Anthony Towns makes sense, but the Bucks would want more. The Knicks can’t offer picks, so they could either break off a Mikal Bridges deal for younger assets or picks, or send Bridges with Towns to Milwaukee and take back a bad contract.
“They could do a deal that includes that (Myles) Turner contract,” one Eastern Conference exec said. “The Knicks need a big man anyway. If KAT can be re-routed for a young guy and picks, that’s not bad for Milwaukee.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks
Crafting a Trade Package Will Be Difficult
It would be much neater, of course, if the Bucks just decided that taking back Towns from the Knicks was a fair bargain. But that’s just not the case. We also don’t know, though, exactly what the Bucks do want for Antetokounmpo. A young star player, draft picks and financial relief is the standard return package for a player like Antetokounmpo, but few teams have assets like those in abundance.
And, again, Antetokounmpo has leverage in picking his destination.
More likely, the Bucks will have to get creative in what they can get back for their prized star. That’s where the Knicks can put together a credible enough offer.