The New York Knicks have plenty of talent, but at the end of the day they are Jalen Brunson’s team and they need to maximize him.
The New York Knicks, under Jalen Brunson, made their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 26 years this season before losing to the Indiana Pacers.
In that playoff series, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart received their fair share of criticism for their lackluster play, and Towns has already been included in trade rumors. Towns is a max player, so his salary can be used to balance another superstar.
Of course, no player will garner more attention this offseason than Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If the Milwaukee Bucks trade Antetokounmpo, whichever team he lands on will be considered an immediate title threat. Frontrunners include the Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and, recently, the Toronto Raptors.
In theory, the Knicks can make an offer, and a tandem of Giannis and Brunson would be one of the most dangerous duos in the league.
“I think what puts Jalen Brunson in the best position long-term is to be 1A when you need him to be 1A the most at the end of games,” said Jay Williams.
“Due to the fact that he absorbs so much physicality, I don’t need him to carry the load every single night during the course of an 82 regular game season schedule.”
Brunson is one of the best game finishers in the league, but head coach Tom Thibodeau is notorious for giving him little rest. Adding a legitimate star who can create for himself next to Brunson would take a load off the All-Star guard’s shoulders, and Giannis fits the bill.
“I think their games are comparable together,” said Williams of Brunson and Antetokounmpo. “I think in the best long-term interest of Jalen Brunson, if you want to keep him around, Giannis is the player that I think matches that and helps sustain a longer career for Brunson.”
With every team at least partially interested in landing the MVP finalist, the Knicks will struggle to build a trade package to land the Greek Freak.
New York can’t offer much in the way of draft capital or young talent, so the Bucks would only entertain an offer from the Knicks if they wanted to remain competitive.
A three-team deal might be the best way for the Knicks to land one of the best players in the league.
Full Mock Trade Details:
- Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Vasilije Micić
- Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Bradley Beal, Royce O’Neal, Miles McBride, Pacôme Dadiet, 2030 NYK pick swap
- Suns receive: Damian Lillard, Tyler Kolek, Tyler Smith, 2026 first-round pick via NYK
Even this massive trade might not be enough, but a core of Kyle Kuzma, Towns, Beal, O’Neal, and McBride should be enough for the Bucks to remain competitive in the East, the Suns get two point guards and a promising young rim protector to play alongside Devin Booker, and the Knicks get their superstar.
Of course, a pick-laden haul from Brooklyn, Houston, or San Antonio could blow this offer out of the water, although the Bucks are not likely to receive this much talent in a trade, allowing them to make the playoffs next season.
