The New York Knicks should be the favorites to come out of the not-so-competitive Eastern Conference.
Last year, they made it to the Conference Finals, and their team only got better.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation with the Milwaukee Bucks being monitored, the Knicks could sweep in if one thing is true, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Brener.
“If the Knicks start off hot, they might think that things are worth keeping the same until the offseason, where they can reevaluate the team after a playoff run. However, a midseason deal by the trade deadline could be in the cards if the Knicks are seeking an improvement and the Bucks have a chance to blow things up,” Brener said Thursday.
“It would be a drastic move for the middle of the season, but if the timing aligns for both the Bucks and Knicks to pull off a trade, that could be the final move in the Antetokounmpo trade rumor saga.”
Brener believes the Knicks could look to pull off a trade for Giannis if the Knicks need an extra push to bring them a championship.
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Right now, the Knicks roster is deeper than ever, even with Malcolm Brogdon announcing his retirement on Wednesday.
If they are willing to trade in some of that depth, like Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby, they might be able to pull off a trade to acquire the nine-time All-Star.
A potential big three of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Antetokounmpo is more than enough to rule the East in the second half of the season.
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