Knicks Land Giannis in Bold ESPN Trade Idea

The Milwaukee Bucks may need to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have failed their one last attempt at building a competitive team for him to compete with for a championship. Now Giannis is likely to make a formal trade request over the coming weeks, and every team will want a chance at landing the multi-time MVP.

ESPN recently proposed multiple fake Giannis trades that could become reality over the next few weeks. 

One trade looks like this: 

“New York Knicks get:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jericho Sims

Bucks get:

Karl-Anthony Towns

Pacome Dadiet

Tyler Kolek

2026 first-round pick (top-eight protected, via Wizards; otherwise, second-round selections in 2026 and 2027)

2028 first-round swap (worse of Bucks or Trail Blazers for Knicks)

2030 first-round swap (worse of Bucks or Trail Blazers for Knicks)

2032 first-round swap

Note: Trade cannot be completed until Dec. 15

Let's be clear: The Knicks, after trading five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges last year, have no chance of landing Giannis if the Bucks open trade talks with multiple teams. New York has to hope Antetokounmpo pegs it as his desired destination. The Knicks can no longer trade any of their own first-round picks, only swaps and one first-rounder from the Washington Wizards that is top-eight protected this year and converts to second-round picks if not conveyed.”

The only way Giannis is going to New York is if he forces his way there. Otherwise, the Bucks should be taking the best offer available, and that would be from one of the many other teams with young players and draft picks that the Bucks could rebuild with.

The Knicks had a shot at getting Giannis this summer, but for whatever reason, it didn't happen. Now, they may be in a pool of heavy bidders and unable to offer the best price.