Knicks Rumors: Latest Buzz Involving Giannis After Karl-Anthony Towns Trade

The New York Knicks are reportedly in the mix as a potential suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, New York was seen as a “down-the-road trade suitor” for the Milwaukee Bucks star, though Stein noted that was before the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Since the trade, however, “more than one rival team” has “wondered aloud” whether the Knicks made the trade for Towns to later use him in a deal for Antetokounmpo, according to Stein.

Last week, CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter reported that one anonymous executive for a Western Conference team said “teams are circling—and hopeful” that Antetokounmpo could be traded at some point during the 2024-25 season.

Reiter also mentioned that another exec said they “wouldn’t be surprised” if a trade happens before the deadline while a third executive mentioned the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destinations.

After the Bucks won a championship in 2021, trading Antetokounmpo seemed like a laughable scenario. Three years later, it could be the best move for both sides.

Milwaukee hasn’t made it past the second round of the playoffs since its title run and is coming off back-to-back first-round exits, including last year when the Bucks brought in veteran star Damian Lillard.

Six games into the 2024-25 season, the Antetokounmpo, Lillard and the Bucks are 1-6.

The 2021 NBA MVP has been his usual dominant self, averaging 31 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists to start the year. Lillard has also been good, putting up 26.2 points, 6.7 assists and five boards early on.

The outstanding play from Antetokounmpo and Lillard hasn’t been enough to translate to wins in Doc Rivers’ first full season as head coach, though, and some kind of change seems inevitable.

The new-look Knicks have had an average start to the year at 3-2. Towns has been solid, putting up 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and three assists per game, including a 44-point outing in a win over Miami.

Though the 28-year-old Towns can make New York a major threat in the East, the Knicks would likely have no reservations about trading him if it meant bringing in a player like Antetokounmpo.

Whether either team is willing to execute a blockbuster trade this season is to be determined.