Over the past few years, the New York Knicks have shown they are not afraid to take a risk if it means landing a big-name player. But even after the moves to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, an even bigger name could be on the table: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Antetokounmpo had eyed the Knicks as his preferred destination if he does end up getting traded sometime in the next year. With mock trades now running rampant, many have included a ‘one-for-one‘ swap between New York and the Milwaukee Bucks, which sends the Greek Freak to The Big Apple for Jalen Brunson.
However, with a deal like that now more of a possibility than ever before, the Knicks made their feelings clear on their point guard.
“Team sources have made it clear that Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was, as expected, untouchable in these talks,” Sam Amick wrote in an article for The Athletic. “In terms of possible players being involved, the common sense lens turns toward Towns, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson from there.”
Charania has given multiple updates on Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future in Milwaukee over the past few months. Most recently, the star said his focus is on this season with the Bucks, but his stance could change as time goes on.
Jalen Brunson For Giannis Antetokounmpo Not On The Table
Even just a few years into his Knicks tenure, Brunson has proven to be one of the most popular players in franchise history. After leading the team to its first conference finals appearance in 25 years, the point guard originally drafted by the Dallas Mavericks is the franchise star in the biggest market in the league.
Therefore, trading Brunson away for anyone would be a massive risk, likely resulting in a similar amount of backlash that Nico Harrison has received after he traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Brunson has become the face of the franchise in New York, and while acquiring a two-time NBA MVP and one-time NBA Finals MVP in Giannis would be massive, doing it at the expense of losing Brunson may not have been worth it,” Mike Chiara wrote for Bleacher Report.
In his original article breaking the news of the Greek Freak’s New York interest, Charania said talks of a deal slowed quickly, meaning whatever Milwaukee was asking for, the Knicks didn’t want to give up.
“The Bucks picked up the Knicks’ call on Antetokounmpo, and the sides engaged in conversations for a window of time in August, league sources said, but the teams never got traction on a deal,” Charania wrote.
Both Brunson and the organization have expressed their mutual admiration, and though the prospect of adding a player like Antetokounmpo would be hard to turn down, New York has shown no interest in sending off its current franchise star for a new one.
With the recent news, the idea of Brunson and Antetokounmpo playing together, rather than being traded for each other, becomes a much more interesting storyline. Chiari said the two playing together would be dominant due to their complementary skillsets.
What Would A Trade To The Knicks Look Like
A straight-up swap for Antetokounmpo and Brunson is now out of the question, as well as any other trade pitch, including Brunson for that matter. So, with the 2021 Finals MVP opening expressing his interest in moving to New York, what would a possible deal look like?
The Knicks have massive amounts of money tied up in their top stars of Brunson, Towns, Bridges, and Anunoby. While Bridges would be a likely option to be moved, both his extension and the draft assets New York gave up to acquire him are a double-whammy for their Antetokounmpo hopes.
“That matters a great deal because any Bucks-Knicks deal for Antetokounmpo, however unlikely, would have to be focused on actual players as opposed to draft assets because the Knicks don’t have much to offer on that front,” Amick added. “Bridges could be in a Bucks deal if this gets revisited before the February trade deadline, but his exclusion this time around all but guaranteed this was going nowhere.”
Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson remain other top trade pieces, even if two out of the three, that might not be a big enough package in return for the Bucks. Whether it be any combination of Knicks’ players (likely outside of Brunson and Towns), New York would be giving up a ton to acquire Antetokounmpo.
New York has spent a lot of time, money, and trade assets to construct its current lineup, one that expects to contend in the Eastern Conference. While Antetokounmpo would be a great addition, it would cause the team to take a step back in terms of chemistry and fit before taking a bigger leap forward.
For now, Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee with an uncertain future.
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