An ESPN report stunned the basketball world as loyalty was put to the test once again in Sports. The report claimed that one of the last loyal superstars in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is finally open to considering a move away from the Bucks, the team that drafted him in 2013.
The two-time regular season MVP, who was also a Finals MVP, is apparently considering a move away from the Bucks following their third consecutive first-round exit in the Playoffs. He recently claimed on his brother’s show that he loved to play in New York. Following the report, this quote fueled rumors that the Knicks could be suitors for the Greek superstar if he decides to ask for a trade.
However, NBA analyst Bill Simmons sprayed water on those rumors by claiming the Knicks will have to give up a huge portion of their core, which may not even be enough to convince Milwaukee to pull the trigger.
“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.”
“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.”
Why The Knicks Could Trade Karl-Anthony Towns Despite Impressive Playoffs
The Knicks were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs after an abysmal showing in Game 6 that ended in a 108-125 loss to the Pacers. A controversial report emerged after the loss that claimed the coaching staff and teammates of Towns are frustrated with his effort on defense.
Karl-Anthony Towns just finished the first year of his four-year, $220 million extension. He is set to earn $53 million in the 2025-26 season. In simple terms, he’s a player with whom the team is frustrated and is in the best position to be traded for a superstar like Kevin Durant.
While the concerns are mainly on the defensive end of the floor, Towns remains an asset for any team on the offensive end of the floor. In the Pacers’ series, Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 24.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 6 games. Meanwhile, he only had 1 block throughout the entire series. That is concerning since he’s a 7-foot-tall center for whom blocking is rather easier. Therefore, if the Knicks were to pull the plug on any superstar move this offseason, he would likely be a part of the trade package for the player.
