The Knicks were named among four teams that could pursue a trade for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo if and when the Bucks superstar asks out. The rumors of “The Greek Freak” wanting out of Milwaukee picked up steam two weeks into the 2024-25 season, with one Western Conference executive telling CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter that Antetokounmpo could ask out by the February 6 trade deadline.
Knicks would get: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Delon Wright
Bucks would get: Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Kolek, Jericho Sims, Pacome Dadiet, 2025 protected first (WAS), three second-round picks
Raptors would get: Pat Connaughton, two second-round picks
Bulls would get: MarJon Beauchamp
Cornelissen argued that the Knicks would be better off trading Towns instead of Mikal Bridges, their other big 2024 offseason acquisition, due to Antetokounmpo’s ability to play the four and five positions. Furthermore, the Knicks already have a quality center in Mitchell Robinson, who is expected back in early 2025 from foot surgery.
Should the Knicks Trade Towns Already?
The writer also pointed out how Towns, signed through the 2027-28 season, would be an attractive return for the Bucks due to his long-term contract value. As such, Towns would be the ideal “centerpiece” for the Knicks to land another big-time star, he argued.
“Smart front offices don’t get emotionally attached to players, so the fact that the Knicks are viewing Towns as both a player and an asset makes sense – but it would be a cold move to flip him again and force him to move from New York to Milwaukee,” Cornelissen wrote on November 6. “And more so, such a trade would assume that the Bucks are even open to a trade with Towns as the main event.”
