Knicks Staying the Course: Why New York Isn’t Pushing for Giannis - Yet
For months now, the whispers have been growing louder: Could Giannis Antetokounmpo actually be on the move? And if so, would the New York Knicks - a franchise chasing its first championship since 1973 - finally make the kind of seismic swing that could alter the balance of power in the East?
Well, with the trade deadline days away, it looks like the Knicks are content to let this moment pass. And not because Giannis isn’t worth the chase - but because they believe in what they’ve already built.
Knicks Betting on Continuity Over Chaos
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Knicks had a chance to get aggressive last summer when Giannis was, at least loosely, on the market. They didn’t bite then, and they’re not biting now.
“The Knicks believe in this team,” Windhorst said on Monday. “That could end up being an excellent assessment, or that could end up being a mistake.”
That belief isn’t just lip service. The Knicks are 31-18 after a statement win over LeBron James and the Lakers on Sunday night.
They’ve surged into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference standings, trailing only the 36-12 Detroit Pistons. This isn’t a team limping into the deadline - it’s one that’s gaining momentum.
Still, the idea of adding a two-time MVP like Antetokounmpo is tantalizing. But pulling off a deal of that magnitude isn’t simple. Windhorst suggested it would take a multi-team blockbuster - the kind of trade where the Knicks would have to flip some of their current players for additional assets before circling back to Milwaukee with a serious offer.
“That is just not happening,” Windhorst added.
The East Is Wide Open - And the Knicks Know It
One of the key reasons the Knicks aren’t pushing their chips to the center of the table right now? The state of the conference.
“They don’t think the Eastern Conference is a giant mountain to climb,” Windhorst said. “While this team has flaws, the entire East is limited in some capacity.”
And he’s not wrong. Outside of Detroit, no team in the East has separated itself as a dominant force. That leaves a wide-open path for a team like the Knicks - deep, defensively sound, and increasingly confident - to make a legitimate run without mortgaging the future.
That doesn’t mean the Giannis conversation is dead. Far from it.
If the Bucks decide to explore a trade again this summer - and there are already rumblings from league insiders that “summertime” could be when the real movement happens - the Knicks could revisit their stance. Especially if they fall short in the playoffs.
But for now? New York is staying patient.
Other Teams Lurking in the Giannis Sweepstakes
While the Knicks are holding their position, other franchises are reportedly circling. The Warriors and Heat have been floated as potential suitors, and The Ringer’s Michael Pina recently pointed to the Cavaliers as a team possibly preparing a blockbuster offer.
Still, any deal involving Antetokounmpo is going to be complicated. His current contract includes a player option for the summer of 2027, meaning any team trading for him would need to feel confident in their ability to keep him long-term.
That’s part of the calculus for New York. They’re not just weighing what it would take to get Giannis - they’re considering what it would cost to keep him, and whether that’s worth disrupting a team that’s finally clicking.
What's Next
The Knicks head to Washington on Tuesday to face the 13-35 Wizards - a game they’re expected to handle with relative ease. Barring a complete collapse or a major injury, it’s hard to imagine anything happening in that game that would suddenly push the front office into panic mode before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
The Knicks are playing the long game. They’ve built something they believe in. And while Giannis might still be a dream worth chasing, they’re not going to compromise the present for a future that’s far from guaranteed.
For now, the Knicks are betting that the team they have is good enough to make noise in the East. And if they’re right? That long-awaited banner might not be as far away as it once seemed.