The Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks are widely considered the two teams most likely to make a strong push for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, if and when the Milwaukee Bucks make the “Greek Freak” available.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks had an “exclusive negotiating window” in August, but did not make a strong enough offer to pull off a deal. His earlier report suggested that Antetokounmpo had a specific interest in a move to New York.
If and when the window reopens, the Knicks may need a third team to help faciliate a deal, especially since they own only one tradeable first-round pick. Fadeaway World proposed a three-team trade that would see the Warriors faciliate an Antetokounmpo trade to New York, while they add an All-Star big man to pair up with Steph Curry.
Knicks would receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bucks would receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride, 2026 first-round pick (NYK via WAS), 2027 first-round pick (GSW), 2029 first-round pick (GSW)
Warriors would receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
How the Trade Helps All Three Teams
With three first-round picks and Kuminga, a player with enormous upside, the Bucks can officially begin their post-Antetokounmpo era. Furthermore, Bridges and McBride are two seasoned veterans in their prime who can help faciliate the transition.
“Acquiring Kuminga and Bridges could be particularly significant,” wrote Siddhant Gupta of Fadeaway World. “Considering that [Kuminga] had expressed his intentions to leave to pursue his goals of becoming an All-Star, joining the Bucks in this scenario could be ideal. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving, Milwaukee will need a new franchise cornerstone. Given his physical tools and innate scoring sense, the 22-year-old could be a solid option.”
As for the Warriors, Towns may feel like a consolation prize to the big fish, Antetokounmpo, but could prove to be a better basketball fit. It’s no secret that Steve Kerr has coveted a quality stretch-5 for years, and there’s none better in that category than KAT, who has made 1.7 threes per game at 40% shooting in his career.
“With Towns being added to the starting lineup and Horford moving to the bench, the Warriors would boast depth and talent in virtually all positions, transforming them into a legitimate threat.”
Is a Giannis Trade Inevitable?
The Knicks, meanwhile, hold onto Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, forming a new potent starting five centered on Antetokounmpo.
“Although the acquisition would require the Knicks to break up their current core, there is enough evidence to suggest that such a move would be worth it. For a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who can singlehandedly carry teams to victory, New York could benefit from taking such a risk,” argued Gupta.
While Giannis has yet to request a trade officially, NBA insiders expect the “Greek Freak” to be moved at some point this season or the following offseason.
“There has been an expectation for quite some time that Giannis’ days in Milwaukee one way or another are numbered,” Windhorst told “NBA Today” on October 7.
“Whether that was gonna happen this year, whether it’s gonna happen potentially during this season, or whether it could happen next summer.”
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