In the latest round of NBA rumors, the New York Knicks are not expected to enter the mix for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. New York lacks the assets to pull off another blockbuster trade after adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.
New York Knicks cannot offer an appealing trade package for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo
During the offseason, the Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets after trading away Bojan Bodganovic, four unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031), a top-four protected 2025 first-round pick via Milwaukee, an unprotected 2028 pick swap, and a 2025 second-round pick.
In September, the Knicks then traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Towns, and the Wolves received a 2025 top-13-protected first-round pick from New York via the Detroit Pistons.
“The insurmountable obstacle now for the Knicks is they already unloaded the most valuable assets, minus Jalen Brunson, to acquire Towns, OG Anunoby, and especially Mikal Bridges,” wrote Stefan Brody of the New York Post.
According to Marc Stein, the New York Knicks are considered one of the credible suitors if Giannis Antetokounmpo decides to seek a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/h31q8G48IM
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) November 3, 2024
“As a result, a source declared the Knicks’ chances of dealing for Antetokounmpo as ‘very unlikely.’ Their offer would get blown away by the competition.”
New York would have to be willing to trade Towns for Antetokounmpo. At least the contracts are similar.
Per Spotrac, Antetokounmpo is in the final season of a five-year, $228.2 million contract extension. His upcoming three-year, $175.36 million deal begins next season.
Bucks are not interested in trading Antetokounmpo?
Before trading for Towns, the Knicks were viewed as a credible suitor for the Bucks star, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Other teams named include the Golden State Warriors, Nets, and Miami Heat.
Then there’s the question about whether or not the Bucks even want to move the Greek Freak.
As per Marks, “Anytime [the Bucks] are struggling, there’s certainly going to be questions about the future of Giannis. He’s not looking to be moved. Milwaukee is not looking to move him. They’re looking to try to figure out kind of what went wrong with this roster to start the season. So I think we can put away the fictional Giannis trade proposals for right now. There’s no concern on that front.”
Antetokounmpo, who turns 30 on Dec. 6, is averaging 31 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 34.4 minutes through seven games this season, while shooting a career-best 61.7% from the field.
Knicks are underperforming with Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns
Through seven games, the Knicks are a disappointing 3-4 after suffering back-to-back losses to the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. The offseason additions of Bridges and Towns have not seemed to help.
Brunson has also struggled when compared to last season, averaging 25.3 points on 46% shooting from the floor. Towns leads the team in rebounds and blocks, but the Knicks have been unable to build chemistry and generate ball movement against playoff contenders.
More importantly, Bridges is averaging just 2.6 points in fourth-quarter play, with the Knicks getting outscored by 29 in his 52 total minutes of the final frame.
“I think we’re still figuring it out,” Bridges said, adding that the team is undergoing a trial-and-error process. “Offensively, defensively, we still got to figure it out. Like I said, it’s early. So we just need more time. And we’ll figure it out.”
The Knicks host the Bucks on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
