The New York Knicks are rolling. Winners of five straight, they’re finally starting to look like the team many hoped - or feared - they could become: a legitimate threat to come out of the East and punch their ticket to the 2026 NBA Finals.
And yet, with the trade deadline looming on Feb. 5, the question still lingers: should the Knicks make one more move? Or more specifically - would they if the right superstar became available?
That’s where things get interesting.
There’s been some chatter around a hypothetical blockbuster that would send a 10-time All-Star to New York - none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo - in exchange for a package headlined by one of the Knicks’ prized two-way wings and whatever assets they could still cobble together. It’s the kind of move that would instantly shake up the power structure of the league, especially if Giannis made it clear he wanted New York and nowhere else.
But that’s a big “if.”
Without a direct push from Giannis himself, the Knicks’ trade package doesn’t exactly blow anyone away. Deuce McBride is a solid young guard with upside, but he’s not a centerpiece in a superstar-level deal.
And when it comes to draft capital, New York is still paying the price for the deal that brought in Miles Bridges. They do hold Washington’s 2026 first-rounder, but it’s top-eight protected and likely to convert into a pair of second-round picks - not exactly the kind of haul that gets a team like Milwaukee to pick up the phone.
That’s where things get complicated. If New York wanted to get serious, they’d likely have to part with either Bridges or OG Anunoby to recoup the kind of draft assets the Bucks would actually value. And that’s no small sacrifice.
Anunoby, in particular, has been everything the Knicks hoped for since arriving in New York. A champion with the 2019 Raptors, he’s brought a championship-caliber edge to this roster - defending elite wings, knocking down timely shots, and giving the Knicks a physical presence on both ends of the floor. He’s been a perfect fit in Tom Thibodeau’s system, and it’s no coincidence the Knicks have looked more complete since he joined the lineup.
Still, this is Giannis we’re talking about - a 6-foot-11 unicorn with MVPs, a ring, and a game that breaks matchups wide open. If there’s even a sliver of a chance to land him, the Knicks would have to consider all options, including moving Anunoby.
For now, it seems like New York is content to ride the wave they’re on. But in the NBA, things can shift quickly - especially when superstars are involved. And with the deadline just days away, the Knicks’ front office will need to decide whether they’re all in on this current group, or if the opportunity to chase a generational talent is just too tempting to pass up.