New York Knicks mentioned in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

It takes a village, but could the New York Knicks need Towns to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo?

A report from longtime NBA insider Marc Stein says the Knicks are stuck in discussions about Anteokunmpo’s future, which have resumed amid the Milwaukee Bucks’ slow start to the 2024-25 season. A report from CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter hints that a move could happen once this year’s deadline passes, with several suitors reportedly “circling.”

If Antetokounmpo does come to New York, Reuters’ report hints that the Brooklyn Nets could be a more likely destination. Stein, on the other hand, notes that the Knicks have held their own and acquiring the Greek Freak could be expensive.

“The Knicks have been mentioned more than the Heat or Warriors in recent months as a potential candidate for a Giannis trade… albeit before they acquired Karl-Anthony Towns,” Stein said (h/t New York Basketball on X). “Since the trade, I’ve heard from more than one competing team… wondering out loud whether having a player of Towns’ caliber on the list for a potential future bid for Antetokounmpo was among the Knicks’ motivations to give in to their long-standing reluctance to engage in a trade.” include Donte DiVincenzo… and get this deal done when they do.”

Milwaukee is just four seasons removed from winning the title, but has suffered back-to-back first-round exits the last two campaigns. With Doc Rivers at the helm, things have slowed down, and the Bucks (1-5) will enter the Eastern Conference basement on Sunday with lowly Detroit. Antetokounmpo has a $112 million cap hit for future seasons and has a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

So far, the Knicks (3-2) are enjoying the efforts of Towns, who has recorded four double-doubles in his first five games in Manhattan. While the Knicks will no doubt do their due diligence, it would be surprising to see them give up on Towns so quickly, especially considering they gave up DiVincenzo and Julius Randle in the first place to secure his services.

Towns and the Knicks return to action Monday when they face the Houston Rockets (8:45 p.m. ET, MSG).

Be sure to bookmark All Knicks for the latest news, exclusive interviews, movie reviews and more!