Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Heat Up, But Knicks May Be Wise to Stay Put
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga has been simmering since the 2025 offseason, and as we approach the midway point of the NBA season, the noise around the Greek Freak hasn’t quieted. Rumors have swirled, headlines have popped, and teams across the league - including the New York Knicks - have been linked to the two-time MVP. But not everyone thinks a blockbuster move makes sense.
Recently, the Knicks found themselves at the center of the speculation, reportedly emerging as a potential landing spot for Antetokounmpo. But that momentum stalled just as quickly as it built.
According to multiple reports, Giannis isn’t interested in making Madison Square Garden his new home. And if that’s the case, the Knicks may want to think twice before mortgaging their future for a superstar who might not be fully bought in.
Former NBA big man and current analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words when he gave his take on the situation. Speaking on The Road Trippin’ Show, Perkins issued a blunt warning to the Knicks front office: "I wouldn’t touch that if I’m the Knicks," he said.
His reasoning? Depth, health, and risk.
“You’re going to have to give up two or three major pieces,” Perkins explained. “So then you’re going to be concerned with depth.”
And he’s not wrong - any trade for a player of Giannis’ caliber would almost certainly require the Knicks to part with key contributors like OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, or RJ Barrett. That’s a steep price, especially for a team that’s finally found some on-court chemistry and defensive identity.
Then there’s the health factor. Giannis hasn’t been fully healthy in recent postseasons, dealing with recurring issues - most notably with his calf - that have limited his availability when it matters most.
“Would you take that risk?” Perkins asked.
“Over the last few seasons, it’s been his calf. That’s all bad.”
Perkins even singled out Anunoby as a player the Knicks should absolutely not include in any potential deal. “Would you throw OG Anunoby in that trade?
No. You need those pieces.
I wouldn’t do it. If I was the Knicks, I would stay just the way I am.”
That sentiment echoes what many Knicks fans - and some within the league - are thinking right now. This isn’t the same old Knicks team desperate to make a splash.
They’ve built something sustainable, with a gritty defensive core and a promising young nucleus. Throwing that away for a superstar with injury concerns and uncertain interest?
That’s a gamble, no matter how big the name.
As for Giannis himself, he’s finally broken his silence on the rumors - and he’s doing it with a smile. In a recent interview, the Bucks star addressed the swirling speculation and took it all in stride, even poking fun at how often his name is being tossed around.
“This is the most I’ve ever been talked about in my career,” Giannis said. “I’m in my house with my kids and all that, and I’m opening the TV and it’s like, ‘Oh, Giannis is going to the Memphis Grizzlies!’ Or, ‘Giannis is going to the Detroit Pistons!’”
He even joked that he feels like the “hottest chick in the game right now,” acknowledging the constant attention with a laugh. It’s classic Giannis - light-hearted, self-aware, and fully in control of the narrative.
Still, while he’s laughing now, the situation remains fluid. Trade talks can escalate quickly, and Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee is far from guaranteed.
But for the Knicks - and any other team thinking about making a move - the question isn’t just whether Giannis is worth it. It’s whether the price to get him would leave too little behind.
For now, the Knicks are standing pat. And given their current trajectory, that might be the smartest move of all.