After his hometown New York Knicks lost in the Conference Finals, Stephen A. Smith issued his stance on them trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The New York Knicks lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers, immediately kickstarting speculation that they would retool their roster.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest name in NBA trade rumors, surpassing even Kevin Durant. Antetokounmpo is exactly the type of player the Knicks could pair with Jalen Brunson in an effort to get back to the Finals after 26 years.
Longtime Knicks fan and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith issued his verdict on the Knicks trading for Giannis.
The Knicks, unlike teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Brooklyn Nets, do not have the draft capital or young talent to add Giannis, although they can easily match his salary.
In a hypothetical deal for Antetokounmpo, the Knicks would certainly have to part ways with Karl-Anthony Towns to balance the books, although Smith summed that choice up simply: “I would not hesitate!”
“If I had to give up a Karl-Anthony Towns to get Giannis, I would not hesitate. I would not hesitate,” he reiterated. “The man can give you 30 and 12 a night. If you got an opportunity to get Giannis Antetokounmpo, I don’t give a damn who you have to give up to get him. You do it. That’s how I feel about Giannis. I’m not saying Jalen Brunson, because Giannis has got to play with somebody.
“The talent, the ferocity that comes with Giannis Antetokounmpo, outside Jalen Brunson who is touchable at this point, you do what you have to do to get your hands on Giannis.”
A pairing of Brunson, Antetokounmpo, and whichever high-level starters the Knicks can keep in a deal would finally make them title favorites.
Ignoring how it would be nearly impossible for the Knicks to outbid other suitors for Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak’s fit in New York is readily apparent.
Assuming that Towns would be the bulk of the salary matching in a deal, the Knicks would have Brunson and Antetokounmpo as their main scoring options, with Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges playing on the wings.
The Knicks would have one of the most mobile offenses and versatile defenses, and Mitchell Robinson would be a great bench player.
For now, Brunson is required to start and end games as the Knicks’ primary ball handler and scorer, although Antetokounmpo would take a lot of the burden off of his shoulders, especially early in games.
In the postseason, having one of the very best two-way players would be a massive upgrade over Towns, and if the Knicks can make it happen, Smith is right. It’s not worth thinking about twice.
