Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the 2025-26 season amid an uncertain future with the Milwaukee Bucks, especially after the franchise waived and stretched the injured Damian Lillard. The Bucks are not expected to be in the mix for a top seed in the East, meaning Antetokounmpo is likely to go a fourth consecutive year without competing for an NBA championship.
The New York Knicks, on the other hand, are positioned to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, with oddsmakers viewing them and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference. Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton explained why the time is right for the Knicks to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade that would land Antetokounmpo, while keeping most of their core together.
Knicks would receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Martin, AJ Green, 2030 second-round pick (via LAL)
Bucks would receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Noah Clowney, 2026 first-round pick (via NYK), 2028 first-round pick (via NYK), 2030 first-round pick (via NYK), 2028 second-round pick (via MEM)
Why the Trade Makes Sense…
The loss of Towns, an All-NBA player, would be a significant blow, but the Knicks have the size and personnel to overcome it. For one, Mitchell Robinson — who played a key role in New York’s run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals — can slip into the starting center role next to Antetokounmpo, who can also play the five in some lineups.
“The addition of Antetokounmpo bolsters New York’s core and potentially extends its championship window as the nine-time All-Star enters a significant market for the first time in his career,” wrote Hutton, making a case for the Knicks to go all in.
“The proposed trade also adds additional depth for Brown’s rotation with AJ Green and Tyrese Martin joining Antetokounmpo in New York. Both players are on expiring deals as well, which could help New York’s cap situation next summer.”
Giannis Has Two Years Left…
It’s worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, when teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are projected to be flush with cap space, and expected to pursue the Greek star.
In such a scenario, the Knicks, who have committed more than $500M to four players over the next three years, may be unable to enter the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. New York’s best chance of landing the 2021 NBA Finals MVP would be via trade, preferably before the 2026 NBA trade deadline or next offseason.
As for the Bucks, the trade above allows them to hit the reset button and fast-track their rebuild, rather than waiting for Antetokounmpo to make a call on his future.
“To put it bluntly, Milwaukee’s front office may not have a choice,” stressed Hutton. “The Bucks have attempted to retool its roster quickly around Antetokounmpo, but as constructed, the team projects to be a fringe playoff team, even with the club’s all-time leading scorer suiting up.
“In addition to bringing in Towns and a plethora of draft picks, the trade takes Milwaukee under the 1st Apron, giving the team to build around Towns going forward with a vastly improved cap situation.”