The New York Knicks are reportedly one of four teams circling the waters around Giannis Antetokounmpo as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline looms. But here’s the kicker: while the Knicks are certainly interested, they’re not exactly sprinting to the front of the line-at least not yet.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, New York appears more inclined to let this current group ride out the season before making a blockbuster push for the two-time MVP. On a recent Bleacher Report segment, Fischer suggested the Knicks are keeping one eye on the present and the other on a potential summer shakeup.
So what’s the thinking in New York? It seems the Knicks brass, including owner James Dolan, genuinely believes in this roster’s ability to contend.
Dolan recently went on local radio and made it clear: he expects this team to compete for a championship. That’s a bold stance, and one that signals a level of internal confidence we haven’t always seen from the franchise.
But make no mistake-if things go sideways in the playoffs, the Knicks are expected to revisit their pursuit of Antetokounmpo with renewed urgency this summer. And that might actually work in their favor.
Here’s why: the Knicks’ trade package, as it stands, isn’t exactly overflowing with young blue-chip talent or an abundance of draft picks. That’s the kind of haul Milwaukee is believed to be seeking in return for their franchise cornerstone.
But come the offseason, New York’s flexibility improves. They’ll have more draft capital available, especially with some of their previous obligations clearing up.
And while Mitchell Robinson-the longest-tenured Knick-would no longer be under contract, his absence might not be a dealbreaker. The Bucks already have Myles Turner in the fold, and the sense is they’d prioritize picks over a backup big.
So while the Knicks might not have the most compelling offer on the table right now, they’re betting that time is on their side. The Bucks, for their part, aren’t under any real pressure to move Giannis before the deadline. They can afford to wait for the right deal, whether that’s in the next 48 hours or sometime this summer.
Of course, if Milwaukee does decide to pull the trigger before Thursday, the Knicks would love to be the team on the other end of that call. But if nothing materializes before the deadline, it’s not the end of the road. In fact, it could set the stage for a much bigger move down the line-one that might just reshape the Eastern Conference.
For now, the Knicks are staying the course. They’re giving this group a shot to prove it can make noise in the postseason. But if things don’t go according to plan, don’t be surprised if they come calling for Giannis again-this time with a stronger hand to play.