If the New York Knicks want to make a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, as crazy as it might sound, there have to be a few untouchables on the roster.
At the top of that list, and perhaps the only one, is star guard Jalen Brunson.
Trading for Antetokounmpo would be a significant step forward for the Knicks, and he would obviously come in as the best player on the roster. However, the idea would be to pair Brunson with a player of that caliber, not replace him with Antetokounmpo.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, that was the Knicks’ mindset over the summer, as he reported that New York considered Brunson off the table in trade discussions for Antetokounmpo.
“New York considered Jalen Brunson off the table in trade discussions over the summer for Antetokounmpo, league sources told HoopsHype. Currently, the Knicks have gone 13-4 with OG Anunoby in the lineup and 10-1 when Josh Hart starts, including the NBA Cup championship,” he wrote.
From the Bucks’ perspective, if they want to remain competitive and attempt to land another star, they may not be overly interested in the role players the Knicks can offer.
Outside of Brunson, it’s tough to point to anyone on New York’s roster who is a true star or a young player with star potential. The Knicks are also limited in draft capital due to the Mikal Bridges trade, which further complicates the possibility of a deal.
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