The New York Knicks were the first team mentioned in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, and while they still have hopes of landing the two-time MVP, several teams have entered the mix.
The idea of the Knicks trading for Antetokounmpo before the February 5th NBA trade deadline remains unlikely, as New York is now targeting a move over the summer to add the all-time leading scorer of the Milwaukee Bucks.
As he wouldn’t come cheap, rumors on trading Karl-Anthony Towns in a massive package for Antetokounmpo have floated around recently. There’s also the possibility of the Knicks having to move either OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges in the deal, as they would need to send one of them to a franchise that would be able to move their own draft picks back to the Bucks for them to start a rebuild.
However, what about the idea of keeping Towns in a trade that lands Antetokounmpo? A trio of those two paired with current franchise star Jalen Brunson could likely compete for at least a Finals birth out of the Eastern Conference, and while it might not be likely, based on all the money and contracts that would have to be moved, it shouldn’t be ruled out.
Knicks Giannis Trade Idea That Keeps Karl-Anthony Towns
Writing for CBS Sports, Sam Quinn discussed the idea of New York trading for Antetokounmpo, while keeping Towns to form a three-headed snake that would likely become automatic favorites out of the East.
Keep in mind, any Knicks-Giannis trade, including this one, likely couldn’t happen until the offseason, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Here’s what Quinn laid out:
New York Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kelly Olynyk
San Antonio Spurs receive: OG Anunoby
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Mikal Bridges, Jeremy Sochan
Brooklyn Nets receive: 2030 first-round swap rights (via Knicks)
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jerami Grant, Harrison Barnes, Guerschon Yabusele, Tyler Kolek, seven first-round picks (2026 more favorable of Hawks/Spurs, 2026 via Wizards top-eight protected, 2027 via Knicks, 2028 via Magic, 2028 more favorable of Celtics/Spurs, 2030 more favorable of Bucks/Blazers, 2031 more favorable of Spurs/Kings), 2032 first-round swap rights (via Knicks)
Quinn’s rationale for a move like this, if all teams are on board, would be the minimal trade market for Towns. There have been conflicting reports on how willing the Knicks are to move away from their starting center, but according to James L. Edwards of The Athletic, “the return is expected to be salary-matching players and, maybe, small draft compensation.”
So, in that case, why not keep him with Antetokounmpo and Brunson? This deal would require New York to move Bridges and Anunoby, but that feels worth it to keep the two All-Stars and arguably a top-three player in the NBA.
Trading Yabusele and Kolek likely wouldn’t be too hard, and though some picks would have to be included, again, the Knicks would still have a lot of talent left on the roster.
“The idea of an offense featuring Antetokounmpo, Towns and Jalen Brunson is tantalizing,” Quinn wrote. “Between Antetokounmpo, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride, the Knicks would still have a fair bit of defensive talent.”
Though just an idea, a scenario in which New York makes this move, along with the rest of the teams, is unlikely. However, as Quinn wrote, putting all the possibilities on the table is the right idea for the Knicks if they really want to win the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes.
A Different Knicks Giannis Trade Idea
If Knicks fans aren’t interested in keeping Towns, as he’s putting up the second-lowest scoring averages of his career and has been the scapegoat for this team all season, no problem, there are still a bunch of other scenarios in which New York lands Antetokounmpo.
Writing for ESPN, Kevin Pelton and Zach Kram discussed another trade idea that sees the Greek Freak arrive The Big Apple. Like the previous one, this deal wouldn’t come cheap, but would drastically help the Knicks on defense, and give them a duo that has already won a championship together.
New York Knicks get: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday
Portland Trail Blazers get: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride
Milwaukee Bucks get: Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, Guerschon Yabusele, 2026 first-round pick (from Wizards via Knicks, top-eight protected), 2029 first-round pick (best of Bucks, Trail Blazers and Celtics), Return of 2030 swap rights (via Trail Blazers), 2030 pick swap via Knicks, and 2032 pick swap via Knicks
As seen in all the Knicks’ Antetokounmpo trade rumors, a deal with Portland makes everything easier. Yes, this one carries a very high price tag as well, but if Holiday could get back to his form on the Bucks and Boston Celtics, that’s a championship formula for New York. The Trail Blazers interest in Towns is uncertain, but with Bridges and McBride, they’d likely change their timeline and look to compete with that group alongside Deni Avdija.
Milwaukee is likely looking to start a full rebuild, so having Grant and Yabusele as veterans, along with the haul of draft picks, would likely be their best scenario as well. The only roadblock would be the Bucks not getting a young star back in return, but if the summer comes and they don’t like any of the other deals they’ve heard, this one can’t be ruled out either.
But more importantly, the Knicks get a brief roster reset and look to fully compete for a championship.
“This framework would check multiple boxes. In addition to sending Antetokounmpo to New York, it would give the Knicks a perfect backcourt complement to Jalen Brunson and reunite Antetokounmpo with Holiday a half-decade after they won a title together in Milwaukee,” Kram wrote.
In any deal for Antetokounmpo, the Knicks are going to have to give up a lot. Brunson is untouchable, but it will just come down to what combination of Towns, Bridges, Anunoby, and their other assets they are willing to give up to land a player who would likely become the best to ever put on a New York basketball jersey.
Knicks Land Giannis, Keep Towns In Blockbuster Five-Team Trade Idea