An ESPN report recently suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks superstar since 2013, may be open to leaving Milwaukee following their third straight first-round playoff exit. The two-time regular-season MVP and Finals MVP, who expressed affection for playing in New York on his brother’s show, has fueled speculation linking him to the Knicks in 2024.
Despite the excitement, NBA analyst Bill Simmons dismissed the rumors, highlighting the immense challenges the Knicks would face in attempting to acquire Giannis, due to the high price and complex trade requirements involved.
Bill Simmons Details the Complex Knicks Trade Scenario
Bill Simmons described the difficulty of engineering a trade for Giannis, insisting it would require multiple teams and significant players to be involved. He proposed that the trade would likely need to include stars like Karl-Anthony Towns paired with either OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges alongside a third team such as the San Antonio Spurs. This complex arrangement would involve the Spurs receiving a key player, the Bucks acquiring Towns, Doug McDermott, and future draft picks, while the Knicks take on Giannis along with contracts like Connaughton and Kuzma.
If Giannis did ask for a Knicks trade… Listen, I was on the trade machine, I put on my trade machine outfit… It’s really hard, and it has to be a three-teamer. And I think it’s got to be Towns and OG together or Towns and Bridges together, and you need a third team, and I think the third team would have to be the Spurs.
—Bill Simmons, NBA Analyst
And the Spurs would be getting either OG or Bridges. I think the Bucks end up with Town and Vassell and multiple first-round picks from San Antonio. And then the Knicks would take Giannis, but they would have to take a couple contracts, they’d have to take Connaughton, and they’d have to take Kuzma. And I don’t think this will happen, because if I’m Milwaukee, I just wouldn’t do it. I would rather keep Giannis, take him into February, and if we have to trade him, then I just feel like I have more leverage. I wouldn’t do it, I would not trade Giannis.
—Bill Simmons, NBA Analyst
Issues Surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns Could Influence Trade Talks
The Knicks’ elimination after a 108-125 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 has raised questions about Karl-Anthony Towns’ future with the team. Reports following the defeat revealed frustrations from both Towns’ coaches and teammates regarding his defensive effort. Although Towns recently signed a lucrative four-year, $220 million contract extension, the Knicks appear prepared to consider trading him to pursue a higher-tier superstar.
On offense, Towns remains a valuable player, averaging 24.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists during the Pacers series. However, his defensive contributions were lacking, with only one block recorded across six games—an underwhelming number for a 7-foot center. This defensive concern, coupled with the team‘s frustrations, makes Towns a likely centerpiece in any trade package the Knicks would assemble.
Shaquille O’Neal Critiques Towns’ Defensive Performance
During the Eastern Conference Finals Game 3, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal expressed strong disappointment with Towns’ defensive efforts. His remarks emphasized that such defensive lapses should be unacceptable at this competitive stage, adding pressure on Towns and the Knicks to address these issues moving forward.
Implications of Trade Rumors for the Knicks and Bucks
The swirling rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Knicks come amid a challenging period for both the Bucks and the New York team. While the Knicks are eager to bolster their roster with a superstar acquisition, the complicated trade requirements and internal team frustrations underscore how difficult finalizing such a blockbuster deal would be. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s reluctance to trade Giannis without retaining strong leverage suggests this possibility remains more speculative than imminent.
As the offseason unfolds, the Knicks face the tough decision of whether to part with key players like Towns to chase marquee talent, while the Bucks weigh their options on how to build around or move on from their franchise cornerstone. The situation highlights the complex balance between loyalty, team dynamics, and the high stakes of NBA superstar trades.