After their heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks aren’t just swinging big anymore. They’re swinging specific. And it's clearer than ever who their big offseason target could be.
According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, New York has shown intrigue around luring Jason Kidd away from Dallas — a move that’s less about Xs and Os, and more about a name: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Kidd then became Giannis Antetokounmpo's second coach in the NBA and maintains a close relationship with Antetokounmpo to this day... which would obviously be handy if the Knicks ever emerged as a realistic trade suitor for Milwaukee's two-time MVP," reported Stein in his latest newsletter.
New York's frustration with their starting big man in Karl Anthony-Towns is well-document. But pair the best shooter at the center position with the league's best slashing and playmaking big man in Giannis Antetokounmpo? Now you have something that can definitely steamroll through the Eastern Conference.
It's obviously nothing conclusive just yet, but all it really takes is connecting the dots to see where this situation could go.
New York's pivot to Jason Kidd could easily be a move to attract Giannis Antetokounmpo
It’s the kind of advance that doesn’t immediately scream “basketball move” on the surface. After all, the Mavs aren't in the best situation themselves, no thanks to Kidd's coaching as of late. The Knicks already fired an extremely competent coach in Tom Thibodeau, who is arguably not that far away from Kidd in terms of Xs and Os. And Kidd has his flaws — rocky tenures in Brooklyn and Milwaukee, uneven playoff resumes, and a reputation that often divides locker rooms.
But what he does have is history in the NBA Finals with the Mavericks, and history with Giannis, dating back to the early years of the Bucks’ rebuild. Kidd is often credited (whether grounded in reality or not) with helping Giannis unlock his All-NBA potential, building the offense around his unique blend of size and skill and entrusting him with the ball when others wouldn’t.
To recall, it was Antetokounmpo himself who pushed back against Bucks management once word got out that Kidd was on his way out of town. That trust reportedly still matters. The two have remained close since Kidd’s firing in 2018, even after Antetokounmpo won an NBA championship under Mike Budenholzer.
So this isn’t about outcoaching the Rick Carlisles and Mark Daigneaults of the world. It’s about outmaneuvering Milwaukee.
The Knicks have long been rumored as a potential landing spot if Giannis were ever to request a trade — big market, a competitive roster, deep draft capital, and a culture that’s finally turned a corner. Landing Kidd could be a preemptive relationship move, the same way teams have hired assistant coaches or former teammates to butter the ground for a superstar. It’s not subtle. But this is the NBA. No one plays fair.
It's not just a pipe dream; there's more than a clear pathway for the Knicks to land the former Bucks tactician if they so desire him.
"It is a great source of intrigue leaguewide whether the Knicks have other targets they plan to pursue aggressively … or if they would be willing to offer draft compensation to Dallas to try to free Kidd from his current contract. The Milwaukee Bucks sent two future second-round draft picks to Brooklyn after Kidd's maiden season in coaching in 2013-14 to extricate the Hall of Fame guard from the Nets," Stein also wrote.
Stein also isn't the only big name in the NBA's media personality who has opined on Giannis possibly heading to New York. Just a few days ago, no less than Bill Simmons laid out the possible framework for a Giannis trade that could actually work for both teams.
Of course, this all depends on one massive if: Giannis leaving Milwaukee. As of now, insiders like Jake Fischer say teams are backing off — the league has shifted from “hope” to “believe it when we see it.” Still, moves like this suggest not everyone is giving up.
If the Knicks really are ready to throw assets at Jason Kidd (and eventually Giannis himself) it might mean one thing: They’re not done chasing stars. And they’re not bluffing.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.