The New York Knicks made a splash trade for Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason, and they almost made another one this summer.
Per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks emerged as the only team that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antekoumpono would’ve considered playing for outside of Milwaukee this offseason. Of course, Antetokounmpo ultimately decided to return to the Bucks.
Per SNY’s Ian Begley, the idea of winning a championship in New York is appealing to Antetokounmpo, and is why he considers them a potential destination.
Trade for Giannis unlikely in the near future
However, any trade for the two-time NBA MVP wouldn’t be easy, and doesn’t appear likely anytime soon.
“Antetokounmpo would need the Bucks to work with him on a trade destination or make things uncomfortable and force his way out of Milwaukee in order to wind up in New York,” Begley said.
Bringing Antetokounmpo to the Big Apple would’ve certainly raised New York’s ceiling as championship contenders. Antetokounmpo is still in the prime of his career, and is coming off of a season in which he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on his way to being named an All-Star, and All-NBA for the ninth time in his career. With the Bucks bouncing out of the first round of the playoffs once again this past season, many speculated that Antetokounmpo would soon be on the move.
While it won’t happen now, the idea of Antetokounmpo paired with Jalen Brunson in New York will always be fun to think about for Knicks fans, and NBA fans in general.