Bucks’ Trade Deadline Approach Could Quietly Boost Knicks’ Giannis Hopes
The Milwaukee Bucks might be gearing up to make a splash ahead of the NBA trade deadline-and while that might not seem like it has anything to do with the New York Knicks on the surface, it could actually be a subtle win for New York’s long-term ambitions. Specifically, their dream of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to league sources, Milwaukee has recently done its homework on Zach LaVine. Now, that doesn’t mean a deal is around the corner, but it’s a signal worth watching.
Kicking the tires on a 30-year-old guard with a $47.5 million price tag isn’t the kind of move you make if you’re preparing to tear things down. It’s the kind of move you make when you’re still all-in-when you’re trying to maximize the window with your superstar.
And that’s exactly what the Knicks should want to see.
Why the Knicks Benefit From Milwaukee Doubling Down
If the Bucks go out and add a win-now piece like LaVine, it’s a strong indication that Giannis isn’t going anywhere midseason. That matters-a lot. Because if he stays in Milwaukee through the deadline, the door swings open just a little wider for the Knicks to make a serious run at him in the offseason.
Right now, New York is hamstrung in terms of trade assets. They can’t include any first-round picks in a deal today.
But that changes in the summer, when they’ll be able to offer two: their 2026 first-rounder and a 2033 first. It’s not a king’s ransom, but it’s something-and more importantly, it’s something they simply don’t have today.
They still won’t have the most attractive package on the table. That’s a reality the Knicks will have to live with.
But when it comes to a player like Giannis, who has the kind of clout that changes the rules of engagement, the best offer doesn’t always win. Player leverage can shift the entire equation.
Giannis’ Leverage Is Growing-And That Helps New York
Giannis isn’t a free agent until the summer of 2027, but he holds a player option for that season. That means he’s just one year away from hitting the open market once next summer rolls around. And that proximity to free agency gives him more and more say in where he ends up, especially if the Bucks start to entertain trade talks.
Teams outside his preferred destinations will be reluctant to give up major assets for what could be a one-year rental. That narrows the field. And if New York is on his shortlist, that gives the Knicks a real shot-even if their trade package isn’t the most overwhelming.
In the NBA, leverage is currency. And Giannis, as a top-five player with a contract inching toward its end, has plenty of it.
The longer he stays in Milwaukee, the more that leverage grows. And that could tilt the scales in New York’s favor when the time comes.
For Now, the Knicks Wait-and Hope
Let’s be clear: this doesn’t suddenly make the Knicks the frontrunners in the Giannis sweepstakes. They’re not.
Not yet. If this turns into a midseason bidding war, they’re simply not equipped to keep up.
But that’s why the Bucks’ current approach is so intriguing.
If Milwaukee pushes its chips in and makes a move like LaVine-or any other short-term upgrade-it likely keeps Giannis in town through the rest of the season. And that’s the scenario New York needs.
Because the longer this drags out, the more control Giannis has over his next move. And the more control he has, the more realistic it becomes for the Knicks to make their fantasy a reality.
Is it a long shot? Absolutely.
But it’s a long shot that gets a little less far-fetched if Milwaukee stays the course and tries to win now. That’s the kind of quiet development that could end up being a major win for the Knicks-without them having to do a thing.