By all accounts, the New York Knicks are expected to make the Finals. With the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics poised to take a step back, the Eastern Conference is a two-horse race between the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yes, the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons made some moves this summer, but the Knicks are one of the clear frontrunners.
With Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns surrounded by high-level role players like Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby, New York has the talent. Add in veteran role players like Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, and Malcolm Brogdon, and they have the depth to withstand injury.
However, gutting their depth before the trade deadline might be worth it if they can land Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Mock Trade Adds Giannis to New York Knicks
For the better part of a decade, Antetokounmpo has been one of the three best players in the NBA, and his future with the Milwaukee Bucks is uncertain. His team, of course, wants to keep him in town, although Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to play for a winner.
The Knicks, according to all experts, have a better shot at winning a title than the Bucks do, even after they added Myles Turner.
If New York gets off to a slow start, they could feel the pressure mounting to capitalize on Brunson’s prime, and no other possible move would boost their chances than adding Giannis.
Athlon Sports’ Nathaniel Holloway devised a trade that would send Bridges, Anunoby, and ‘multiple’ draft picks to the Bucks in exchange for Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr.
At most, the Knicks can trade Washington’s pick and swap three future first-rounders. If Giannis asks out, the Knicks will certainly be outbid, so they will have to include some of their limited young talent, as well.
Why Bucks Would Deny Knicks’ Offer
Even if we pretend for a second that the Bucks shop their best player the same way the Dallas Mavericks did with Luka Doncic–by only calling one team–the Knicks would not make the cut.
First of all, the Knicks don’t have the assets to land a player of his caliber, as Holloway noted.
Giannis may elect to stay with the Bucks this season, and if he does demand a trade, another team could outbid the Knicks for him,” he admitted.
Add in that the Knicks will only make a trade inquiry if they underperform. In order for that to happen, it stands to reason that one or two surprising teams would be above them in the standings. If New York is in third, fourth, or fifth place by February, we can imagine that the Bucks would find themselves in a position for home-court advantage.
At that point, would they entertain trading the player that got them there?