A large portion of trade rumors in the offseason featured Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shook up the landscape of the league by expressing his desire to entertain trade ideas with other teams. Although no such deal took place, leading the rumors to die down, trade speculation has resurfaced following recent reports about the Milwaukee Bucksâ offseason negotiations with the New York Knicks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo himself has remained adamant on his stance, reassuring the fans that he chooses to stay in Milwaukee. However, his statement also indicated his desire to play for a winning team, potentially leaving the door open for a trade.
While the forward has been linked with several teams, rumors suggest that he wishes to join the Knicks. Among the several trade proposals that have been created to facilitate this move, we examine the three-team trade idea presented by Bleacher Reportâs Andy Bailey, featuring the Houston Rockets. Hereâs Baileyâs proposal:
Proposed Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Houston Rockets Receive: Jalen Brunson
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Fred VanVleet, Josh Hart, Reed Sheppard, 2028 first-round pick (HOU), a 2030 first-round pick (HOU), 2026 second-round pick (NYK via ORL, DET, or MIL), 2027 second-round pick (NYK), 2028 second-round pick (NYK via BOS), 2032 second-round pick (NYK)
Baileyâs proposal involves several significant assets changing hands, with Jalen Brunsonâs move to Houston being particularly notable. With such a deal having a major impact on each teamâs future, we closely examine how it would affect each one.
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The Bucksâ Massive Haul Of Assets
In this trade scenario, the Milwaukee Bucks walk away with a massive haul of assets. From meaningful draft capital (two first-round picks and four second-round picks) to valuable players, the Bucks gain all the necessary pieces to structure a rebuild in the wake of Giannis Antetokounmpoâs departure.
Fred VanVleet is a notable addition to the Bucksâ rotation in this deal. VanVleet has been a key figure in the Rocketsâ lineup, firmly establishing himself as the teamâs starting point guard. Although he is likely to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season with an ACL injury, the veteran guard has displayed his ability to be productive when on the floor.
Last season, he averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.0 turnovers per game on 37.8% shooting from the field. While this wasnât his best performance, given the Bucksâ need for a quality point guard following Damian Lillardâs departure this summer, VanVleet could be a solid replacement.
Milwaukee would also acquire Josh Hart as a part of this deal. The Knicks forward has carved out a place for himself as the quintessential role player and team man.
Last season, Hart averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 52.5% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. Given the Bucksâ apparent shortfall of capable defenders, adding a player like Hart could be quite significant.
Lastly, Reed Sheppard could be a significant developmental piece as the Bucks plan their rebuild. Sheppard has displayed high upside as a movement shooter and scorer. Although he received limited minutes in the rotation last season, resulting in an average of 4.4 points per game on 35.1% shooting from the field, the 21-year-old has the talent to be a lethal offensive threat.
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The Rockets Receive Their VanVleet Replacement
A major storyline for the Houston Rockets as of late has been Fred VanVleetâs injury. With their starting point guard ruled out for the entirety of the season, Houston has been linked with several targets in trade rumors to find a suitable replacement. This trade scenario allows the Rockets to effectively make an upgrade in the point guard position with the acquisition of Jalen Brunson.
Brunson is widely considered one of the best point guards in the league. From his ability to dictate the tempo of the offense, his shot-creation skill, and his ability to perform in clutch situations, the Knicks superstar would undoubtedly be a game-changing addition for the Rockets.
Last season, Brunson finished tenth in the MVP race, having averaged 26.0 points and 7.3 assists per game on 48.8% shooting from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc.
While these numbers may take a hit in Houston, where Kevin Durant could become the primary scoring option, Brunsonâs addition could be a major boost to the Rocketsâ roster strength, effectively transforming them into title favorites, too.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Finally Joins The Knicks
Madison Square Garden has been dubbed the Mecca of basketball. As one of the biggest franchises in the sporting world, featuring one of the NBAâs biggest stars only seems to be appropriate for the New York Knicks.
In this trade scenario, the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo would effectively change the direction of the franchise.
This is not to suggest that the Knicks wouldnât be competitive. When healthy, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a top-3 player in the league. With an average of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 60.1% shooting overall, the Greek forwardâs addition would pair well with New Yorkâs floor-spacing star big man, Karl-Anthony Towns.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo operating on the inside and anchoring the defense, Towns would receive more open looks from the perimeter. As the two prominent figures feed off of each other, the Knicks could enjoy a lot of success as they retain their spot among the top teams in the East.
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Does This Deal Work?
Baileyâs proposal certainly has merit. The Bucks receive the necessary assets to structure a rebuild, the Rockets become title favorites after acquiring VanVleetâs replacement, and the Knicks land Giannis Antetokounmpo, an established superstar who can lead the team to title success.
On paper, this deal works for every team. However, there are finer issues that are worth addressing.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo coming in for Jalen Brunson in this scenario, along with the departure of Josh Hart, the Knicksâ backcourt would be rendered thin. While Antetokounmpo could still recreate Brunsonâs influence, it would be a challenge for the Knicks to replace Hartâs impact.
According to Bailey, this trade also helps the Rockets as it doesnât involve trading Amen Thompson. But Brunsonâs addition harms the development of young players like Thompson, who are expected to embrace a larger role in the system. While it could still be worth risking for a title, Houston may see more merit in developing Reed Sheppard instead.
Subsequently, this deal actually benefits the Bucks the most. With Giannis Antetokounmpoâs departure, Milwaukee isnât pressured to contend anymore. Hence, receiving several draft picks and player assets only serves their purpose.
