The Knicks are rolling. Friday night’s 127-97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers marked their fifth straight victory, and they didn’t just win - they dominated. Madison Square Garden was buzzing as New York put together another complete performance, continuing a stretch of basketball that’s been as convincing as any we’ve seen from this squad all season.
But as impressive as the Knicks have looked on the court, the real noise surrounding the team right now isn’t about the scoreboard - it’s about the calendar. With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, speculation is swirling, and once again, the Knicks find themselves at the center of it.
The biggest name floating around? Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Giannis-to-New-York rumor mill has been churning since last summer, and while it’s cooled a bit in recent weeks, the buzz hasn’t completely died down. That kind of chatter can weigh on a locker room, especially one that’s finally finding its rhythm. But if you ask Josh Hart, this is just part of the job - and especially part of playing in New York.
Speaking after the win over Portland, Hart didn’t shy away from the topic. In fact, he was refreshingly candid.
“This is my ninth year in the league,” Hart said. “I think I've dealt with trade rumors for eight of them.
I think the only time I didn't might have been last year when I signed that extension. I literally couldn't get traded until after the deadline.”
That’s the reality for NBA veterans - the trade deadline isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a time of uncertainty. And in a city like New York, where the spotlight never dims, that uncertainty can be amplified.
“It’s a part of the game. It’s part of being in New York,” Hart continued. “At times, it can get frustrating and overbearing, but that’s why you don’t really put anything into it because 99% of stuff doesn’t even materialize.”
Hart’s perspective is one that comes with experience. He’s been around long enough to know that most rumors are just that - rumors. And while fans and media might obsess over every whisper, players have to find ways to block out the noise and focus on what they can control.
As for the Giannis situation, the likelihood of anything happening before the deadline seems to be fading. According to recent reporting, a deal involving the Bucks superstar is considered a “long shot” at this stage, with some insiders suggesting it might make more sense to revisit in the offseason.
So for now, the Knicks are riding a wave of momentum, with a roster that’s clicking and a fanbase dreaming big. Whether the front office decides to make a splash by February 5 remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear - this team isn’t letting trade rumors derail what they’re building.
And if they keep playing like this, they might not need a blockbuster move to make noise in the East.