Fresh off another Eastern Conference Finals appearance, the New York Knicks are poised to take the next step. But their real splash may arrive in the form of a three-team blockbuster: a deal that would land two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
Milwaukee’s future with Giannis is anything but certain. With the Bucks largely out of playmaking assets and having recently moved on from Damian Lillard, conversations around Giannis contemplating his next destination have intensified. While the Greek Freak has repeatedly affirmed that he “probably” remains in Milwaukee and that he loves the city, his remarks have left the door slightly ajar.
Enter New York. A hypothetical three-team deal centered around the Knicks, Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies could change the NBA landscape for good. In this scenario, the Knicks acquire Giannis and even former DPOY winner Jaren Jackson Jr., thereby vaulting themselves to early-favorite status to contend next season, perhaps even securing the top Eastern Conference title pick.
Sure, the Knicks would lose their depth, but acquiring Giannis and Jackson Jr. would completely transform their team around Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and new head coach Mike Brown. With Madison Square Garden already cracking under the weight of expectation, landing Giannis would be a seismic shift.
Across a league on pause, questions loom: Could New York outpace their way to the Finals? Would Giannis embrace the Big Apple’s tax, pace, and pressure? And in this bold reshuffling of stars that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, would the Knicks finally break through? Let’s dive into this trade proposal.
Proposed Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, 2026 first-round pick (via Wizards), 2026 second-round pick, 2031 second-round pick (via Rockets)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, 2026 first-round pick swap (Top 4 protected)
New York Knicks Create A Brand New Big Four To Dominate The East
Picture Giannis (30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG in 2024-25) joining forces with Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG), and Jalen Brunson (existing piece). That’s a defensive anchor, two MVP-caliber scorers, streaky outside shooting, and versatile dominance. This is MSG’s future-dominance, East-conquering potential.
With JJJ adding elite rim protection (1.5 BPG) and spacing with his 48.8% shooting, the Knicks plug several holes at once. Meanwhile, Giannis elevates pace and power, making this squad a top-tier contender, not just on paper. Opponents will have nightmares trying to cover that jungle of length and force.
The chemistry question is tactical, but New York’s hunger, underscored by their deep 2024-25 postseason run, paints this as a motivated crew. MSG sells energy and Gaudiness. With experience from Brunson, plus Giannis and Jackson Jr. at the helm, this lineup screams serious contender, ready to claw past the rest of the East.
Milwaukee Bucks Finally Embrace The Rebuild
Accepting a haul of Mikal Bridges (17.6 PPG, 3.7 APG in ’24-25), Josh Hart (13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.9 APG), Miles McBride (9.5 PPG), plus valuable future picks, signals the Bucks are hitting reset. Following Lillard’s injury (leading to his buyout) and another playoff stumble, this roster reinvention prioritizes flexibility and youth.
Bridges is a 3-and-D wing whose presence softens the blow of Giannis walking. Josh Hart remains the emotional core, hitting a career-high 37.6 MPG, lockdown grit, and Swiss-army versatility. McBride adds backcourt depth and developmental upside at the point guard spot.
Those draft assets, 2026 first + multiple seconds, give the Bucks ammunition to accelerate the timeline. If they pivot to youth, swing for picks, and embrace continuity rather than rent-a-star, they might rebuild with a foundation stronger than simply chasing titles now.
Memphis Grizzlies Acquire Karl-Anthony Towns For Fresh Start
Karl-Anthony Towns (24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.1 APG) brings production and star presence in a package that instantly transforms Memphis into a threatening destination. He fills the vacuum left by JJJ’s departure and gives the Grizzlies an All-Star superstar to build around.
Swap-protected KAT aligns with the Grizzlies’ timeline: top-4 protection limits near-term risk, and his luxury is offset by young flexibility. Plus, taking on Towns’ contract signals Memphis is betting on market reinvigoration and a fresh identity.
A new slate for both parties: KAT in a rugged, opportunity-hungry market; Memphis tapping into his scoring and offensive gravity. This is a rebranding move that could re-energize Grizzlies fans, superstar Ja Morant, and the front office alike.
A Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Making The Knicks (And Giannis) Major Winners
This deal would be MSG’s championship wake-up call. New York goes bold, sacrificing depth but gaining transformative star power. Giannis (and Jackson Jr.) in orange and blue turn the Knicks into blossoming contenders not just in the East, but league-wide. And the timing is impeccable: rival injuries, strategic hiring under Mike Brown, and fan momentum, all collide with a lineup this explosive.
Milwaukee acknowledges the inevitable: a rebuild is wiser than pressing forward with an aging core and limited assets. Memphis tries a reset of its own, grabbing KAT to retain shelf-life relevance. But in the noise of repositioning, New York stands to emerge as the clear beneficiary: they get Giannis, JJJ, and instant star credibility.
The Bucks also kickstart their rebuild with some nice assets, the Grizzlies swap out a big for a better one, and everyone wins in the end. This is quite rare for any three-team deal that happens in the NBA.
However, this would be the biggest declaration that MSG wants to win, and this move bets everything on it. A Knicks-Giannis union? That’s a franchise-defining moment, East electricity, and MSG fireworks. Do not underestimate the seismic ripple effects if this deal lands.
