Can the Knicks actually land Giannis Antetokounmpo?
It’s been the excitement round New York ever since a glimmer of hope cracked by means of the chaos in Milwaukee. With Damian Lillard sidelined indefinitely, the Bucks’ possibilities of contending for the 2026 title are fading quick. And with Jayson Tatum now anticipated to overlook most, if not all, of subsequent season for the Boston Celtics because of damage, the Japanese Convention is large open.
Immediately, the thought of Antetokounmpo asking out — of requesting a commerce from the one franchise he’s ever identified — doesn’t really feel far-fetched. Nor does the likelihood that he names the Knicks as his most well-liked vacation spot, chasing a brand new chapter within the Huge Apple after delivering Milwaukee its first title in 50 years.
However how would a deal even work with the Knicks over the cap? How doubtless is it Giannis really turns into accessible? And what would a blockbuster commerce appear to be?
Let’s break it down — from odds, to mechanics, to potential commerce frameworks that would convey the Greek Freak to New York.
HAS GIANNIS OFFICIALLY ASKED OUT?
Not but — similar to the Knicks haven’t formally requested permission to interview Jason Kidd, Antetokounmpo hasn’t formally requested the Bucks for a commerce. However with Lillard anticipated to overlook most, if not all, of subsequent season because of a ruptured Achilles, the league is bracing for that chance. In keeping with a number of studies, groups throughout the NBA have already began checking in with Milwaukee — quietly gauging whether or not the door would possibly crack open for a blockbuster deal.
The Knicks aren’t any completely different. And if the Bucks determine to noticeably contemplate transferring their two-time MVP, New York shall be on the entrance of the road.
Nonetheless, the newest odds out of Las Vegas counsel Milwaukee is extra doubtless than to not preserve Antetokounmpo heading into subsequent season. As of Tuesday morning, Giannis stays abroad on trip together with his household — and, by all accounts, has but to sign any intent to drive his manner out.
WHAT’S THE PRICE?
The Knicks already pulled off two blockbuster trades final offseason — however touchdown Antetokounmpo would require an excellent larger swing.
To get Mikal Bridges, New York despatched Brooklyn 5 first-rounders, a swap, a second-rounder, and matching wage. To get Karl-Anthony Cities, they dealt Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round choose to Minnesota.
A Giannis deal would dwarf each — and up to date historical past provides a glimpse on the beginning value:
Golden State gave up Andrew Wiggins, a number of function gamers, a protected first-rounder, and a second-round choose for Jimmy Butler.
Sacramento surrendered De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter — and acquired three firsts, three seconds, Zach LaVine, and a prospect in return.
Phoenix traded Bridges, Cam Johnson, 4 first-rounders, a swap, and Jae Crowder for Kevin Durant.
Utah bought again 4 firsts, a swap, and several other rotation gamers — together with rookie standout Walker Kessler — for Rudy Gobert.
Giannis is in a category above all of them: a two-time MVP, a Finals MVP and nonetheless firmly in his prime. If Milwaukee ever opens the door, the Knicks will want a monster supply — and even which may not be sufficient to outbid the sector.
THE BUCKS HAVE CAP SPACE?
Form of — and it issues.
Buying and selling Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma gave Milwaukee monetary respiration room. The Bucks now sit $30 million beneath the primary apron, with entry to the complete $14.1 million mid-level exception.
That flexibility modifications the commerce math. They will take again extra wage than they ship out — a key consider any Giannis deal, particularly if the Knicks need to preserve considered one of their stars and keep away from a strict dollar-for-dollar trade.
WHAT ABOUT THE KNICKS’ CAP SPACE?
The Knicks have $199.77 million in wage on the books for 2025-26 — about $4 million over the primary apron and $45 million over the cap. Which means they’ll’t take again extra wage than they ship out in a commerce.
They’re nonetheless $8 million under the second apron, which retains wage aggregation on the desk — essential for constructing a Giannis-level package deal.
Declining group choices on P.J. Tucker and Ariel Hukporti would unlock one other $5.4 million, giving the entrance workplace added wiggle room.
THE GIANNIS TRADE IDEAS
The Knicks have 4 distinct pathways to constructing a reliable commerce supply for Antetokounmpo.
Supply 1: The KAT-centric commerce
Commerce framework: Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Lakers-Mavericks swap
OUTGOING: Karl-Anthony Cities, Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 top-8 protected WSH first-round choose, 2032 first-round swap, 2032 second-round choose
INCOMING: Giannis Antetokounmpo
OR
OUTGOING: Karl-Anthony Cities, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 top-8 protected WSH first-round choose, 2032 first-round swap, 2032 second-round choose
INCOMING: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton
The cleanest path — financially and structurally — is to heart a deal round Cities.
Cities is owed $53.1 million subsequent season and $171 million over the subsequent three years, almost mirroring Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million wage for 2025–26. That makes him ultimate for salary-matching — and offers the Bucks a perennial All-Star and stretch large to anchor a retool.
However Cities alone gained’t get it completed.
To sweeten the supply, the Knicks can embrace backup 3-and-D guard Miles McBride, promising second-year ahead Pacome Dadiet, and/or rookie level guard Tyler Kolek. New York also can ship Washington’s top-eight protected 2026 first-rounder, a choose swap, and any variety of its eight second-round picks.
If the Knicks need to purchase a secondary piece like Pat Connaughton from Milwaukee, they may additionally embrace Josh Hart — a beneficial function participant on a team-friendly deal ($60 million over three years) who might begin or be flipped once more down the road.
OFFER 2: THE WING-CENTRIC TRADE
Commerce framework: Kevin Durant to Phoenix
OUTGOING: OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride, 2032 FRP swap, 2032 second, 2030 FRP swap, 2030 second-round choose, top-8 protected 2026 Wizards FRP
INCOMING: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton or Bobby Portis
If the Knicks need to preserve the Brunson-Cities duo intact, the subsequent most suitable choice is to construct a package deal round “Wingstop” — OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges — and hope Milwaukee bites.
Anunoby is beneath contract for 3 extra years at $127.5 million, with a $48.4 million participant choice in 2028–29. His 15% commerce kicker complicates issues: the Knicks would pay the bonus, however the Bucks would soak up the elevated cap hit. Which means Anunoby’s first-year quantity in Milwaukee would exceed $46 million — a steep value for a participant not anticipated to be a main scorer.
Nonetheless, Anunoby is simply half the deal.
Bridges, up for a four-year, $156.1 million extension, would want to precise some curiosity in re-signing long-term in Milwaukee — however he and Anunoby collectively type the most effective two-way wing tandems within the league. That pairing, together with reserve guard Miles McBride and a set of picks, provides the Bucks a viable path ahead with out fully bottoming out.
The draw back? There’s no clear-cut star within the package deal. And with no main draft haul — the Knicks already spent 5 firsts on Bridges — it will not be sufficient to pry Antetokounmpo unfastened.
OFFER 3: THE BRUNSON-CENTRIC TRADE
FRAMEWORK: The vetoed Chris Paul-to-the-Lakers deal
OUTGOING: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, 2032 FRP swap, 2030 FRP swap, 2032 second, 2030 second, Wizards protected 2026 FRP
INCOMING: Giannis Antetokounmpo
What if the Bucks don’t need both of the Knicks’ elite wings? And what if New York desires larger — of constructing the perfect 4–5 punch in all of basketball?
The Knicks might, in principle, commerce Jalen Brunson.
It could ship shockwaves by means of the town, however it’s not not possible. Brunson’s worth has by no means been increased, and his upcoming four-year, $156.5 million extension is among the most team-friendly celebrity offers within the league — which sarcastically makes wage matching harder.
To make the numbers work, the Knicks would doubtless have to incorporate Hart’s $20 million wage alongside Brunson’s. From there, they’d must empty what’s left of their draft coffers: the Wizards’ top-eight protected 2026 first-rounder, their very own 2030 and 2032 first-round choose swaps, and a pile of second-rounders.
It’s the boldest transfer of all of them — virtually — parting with the face of the franchise to pair Antetokounmpo with Cities. But when the Knicks imagine Giannis could be the perfect participant on a championship group, and Cities could be the second, Brunson may be the worth of entry.
OFFER 4: THE NUCLEAR TRADE
Commerce framework: Nets commerce Durant to Suns, Irving to Mavericks
KNICKS RECEIVE: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Suggs, Mo Wagner, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pat Connaughton
BUCKS RECEIVE: Karl-Anthony Cities, Mitchell Robinson, Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek 2032 FRP swap, 2032 second-round choose, top-8 protected WSH 2026 FRP, 2030 FRP swap, 2030 2nd, (potential draft compensation through ORL)
MAGIC RECEIVE: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Miles McBride
What if the Knicks need to blow the entire thing up?
What in the event that they envision a complete makeover at Madison Sq. Backyard — with Antetokounmpo as the brand new face of the franchise and every part else on the desk?
It could be an unprecedented swing. The final groups to maneuver two All-Star-caliber gamers in the identical summer time — the Thunder (Paul George, Russell Westbrook) and the Nets (Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving) — instantly launched into full-scale rebuilds. The Knicks, nonetheless, are “singularly focused on winning a championship.” So any teardown can be a retool — not a retreat.
And sure, a deal is theoretically potential.
If the Knicks really need to go all-in on a brand new identification, they may pursue a commerce for a high-end point-of-attack defender — reportedly accessible in Orlando — together with high quality bench depth in trade for Brunson. That transfer, coupled with a separate blockbuster for Antetokounmpo, might reshape the Knicks’ timeline round one definitive alpha.
New York might even use property acquired from a possible Magic commerce to assist sweeten the supply to Milwaukee — positioning themselves to chase Giannis whereas constructing a brand new model of a contender round him.
