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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks heads for the net as Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks defends at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2025 in New York City.
The New York Knicks were the first team linked to a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade earlier in the season, and while the star wasn’t moved at the trade deadline, there was a hypothetical world in which the Greek Freak moved to The Big Apple years ago.
In a recent article on ESPN about the ripple effects of if Kevin Durant‘s foot wasn’t on the line for his shot against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, NBA insiders believe the Knicks would have made an Antetokounmpo trade after his team was knocked out of the postseason, that in reality, ended with the Greek star winning a championship.
“In the (Nets Championship Universe), Antetokounmpo has had enough…The time has come to trade the NBA’s biggest star in his prime,” Zach Kram wrote on the hypothetical. “In a summer of blockbusters — the Timberwolves still trade for Gobert, and the Cavaliers still trade for Donovan Mitchell in the NCU — the biggest involves Antetokounmpo, who heads to New York for a package headlined by Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and a boatload of picks.”
Although this trade didn’t happen, the Knicks are still predicted to be in the hunt for an Antetokounmpo trade this summer, as his future with the Bucks remains uncertain.
Knicks Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo In Wild NBA Hypothetical
ESPN’s rationale for New York making a deal for Antetokounmpo centers around him wanting out of Milwaukee after what would have been another failed playoff run. The Knicks ended up making moves in subsequent years to build the current roster with their best assets, but in this world in which Durant’s foot was behind the three-point line, they went all in for the Greek Freak.
“In reality, the Knicks used those assets to acquire OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, but New York combines them in the NCU for a player who immediately becomes the Knicks’ brightest star in half a century,” Kram wrote.
While some might think the hypothetical is a bit ‘far out,‘ Antetokounmpo previously expressed interest in joining the Knicks after it was first reported that he was interested in exploring his options away from the Bucks before the last NBA season began.
“The Knicks have had an eye on Antetokounmpo for the past couple of years under president Leon Rose, who heads a front office that built the franchise into a perennial playoff contender since taking over in 2020,” Shams Charania wrote in October. “People in league circles, including some in New York, have believed since 2024 that Antetokounmpo would eventually want to come to the Knicks if he ever explored a trade.”
Though just a hypothetical, based on all the Antetokounmpo trade rumors over the past few months, the Knicks making a deal for the two-time Finals MVP doesn’t feel as wild as some of the other predictions ESPN made if Durant’s potential game-winner in 2021 was counted as a ‘three’.
Knicks Get Good News On Giannis Trade Rumors
While Knicks fans might not want to live in a hypothetical world as it relates to an Antetokounmpo trade, the team shouldn’t be ruled out for making a push for the star this summer. They were one of four teams linked to him in the lead-up to the trade deadline, and based on one of his teammates’ latest comments, Antetokounmpo could become available again this summer.
Speaking on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back show, Bobby Portis of the Bucks did not exude confidence when asked about his thoughts on Antetokounmpo playing in Milwaukee next season.
“I’m at a five, bro,” Portis said when asked about his confidence on a ‘1-10 scale‘ of Antetokounmpo playing with the Bucks next season. “Like, for real, it’s up in the air, man… Since I’ve been here in 2020, the goal has always been a championship. So I don’t know what that outlook is for next year.”
The forward can sign a massive contract extension with Milwaukee on October 1, but should he tell the team he has no interest in re-upping his deal, the Bucks will likely once again open the floodgates to a potential trade, and start hearing offers from other teams once again.
The Knicks, like they were for months leading up to the trade deadline, are expected again to target Antetokounmpo this summer. Other franchises will likely join the hunt, but as the star himself has publicly expressed interest in playing at Madison Square Garden, New York could have a leg up compared to teams like the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Lakers in the Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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