As the NBA trade deadline on February 5 looms large, the rumor mill is churning at full speed - and this time, it’s spinning around one of the league’s biggest names: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The New York Knicks are reportedly in the mix, eyeing a potential blockbuster deal to land the two-time MVP.
But this wouldn’t be a simple one-on-one swap. Enter the Portland Trail Blazers, who could play the role of facilitator in a complex, three-team trade that might reshape the futures of all three franchises.
Let’s break it down.
The Proposed Deal
Here’s the full outline of the hypothetical trade that’s generating buzz:
Knicks receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Jerami Grant
Bucks receive:
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Miles McBride
- Pacôme Dadiet
- 2026 first-round pick from New York (via Washington)
- 2028 first-round pick from Portland (via Orlando)
- Return of 2028 and 2030 first-round pick swaps (via Portland)
- 2030 and 2023 first-round pick swaps (via New York)
Blazers receive:
- Mikal Bridges
- Guerschon Yabusele
Portland’s Role: The Bridge to Bridges
The Trail Blazers aren’t just a throw-in here - they’re a key cog in making this deal work. Portland would be giving up Jerami Grant’s hefty contract, along with some valuable draft capital: the 2028 first-rounder they acquired via Orlando and Milwaukee’s 2028 and 2030 pick swaps from the Damian Lillard trade.
In return, they’d be landing Mikal Bridges, a player they’ve reportedly coveted for some time. Bridges fits the mold of what GM Joe Cronin is building in Portland - a tough, versatile, two-way wing who can anchor a defense and contribute offensively without dominating the ball. He’s the kind of player who can elevate a young roster and help define a team’s identity.
Shedding Grant’s contract is a win in itself, but adding Bridges without giving up more than one projected late first-rounder? That’s a calculated gamble - and a potentially franchise-altering one.
The Knicks’ Bold Swing
New York has been stockpiling assets for years, waiting for the right moment to pounce on a superstar. If this deal goes through, that moment is now.
Giannis is a generational talent - a two-way force who instantly transforms the Knicks into a title contender. Pairing him with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle (assuming Randle stays) gives New York one of the most dangerous frontcourts in the league.
They’d also be adding Jerami Grant, a solid veteran who can stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. Sure, the Knicks would be parting ways with Mikal Bridges and a handful of future picks and swaps, but that’s the price of doing business when you’re acquiring a top-five player in the world.
This is the kind of move that signals to the rest of the league: the Knicks are done waiting.
Milwaukee’s Return: Rebuilding While Staying Competitive
If the Bucks were to move Giannis - and that’s still a massive “if” - they’d want two things: a foundation for the future and a roster that can remain competitive in the present. This proposed deal gives them both.
Karl-Anthony Towns brings All-Star talent and offensive versatility. He’s not Giannis - no one is - but he’s a high-level player who can keep Milwaukee relevant. Miles McBride offers defensive grit and upside, while Pacôme Dadiet is a developmental swing with intriguing potential.
The draft capital is where it gets really interesting. The Bucks would reclaim control of their own picks from Portland and add two more first-rounders, giving them flexibility and insurance as they plan for life after Giannis.
It’s not a perfect return - how could it be when you’re trading a franchise cornerstone? But in terms of value and balance, it checks a lot of boxes.
Why Portland Might Hesitate
On the surface, this looks like a win for the Blazers. They land a player they’ve long admired, shed a bloated contract, and only give up one true first-round pick. But the real cost comes in the form of those pick swaps - the kind of assets that can quietly turn into gold.
If the Bucks bottom out without Giannis, those swaps could yield high lottery picks. Giving them up now for Bridges, while understandable, could come back to haunt Portland if Milwaukee slides into irrelevance.
It’s a classic risk-reward scenario. The Blazers accelerate their rebuild with a player who fits their vision, but they also give up a bet on the Bucks’ downfall - a bet that might pay off big down the line.
The Bottom Line
This proposed trade is the kind of high-stakes chess move that makes the NBA trade season so compelling. For the Knicks, it’s a win-now swing that could finally bring a superstar to Madison Square Garden.
For the Bucks, it’s a strategic reset that keeps them competitive while reloading for the future. And for the Blazers, it’s a calculated push forward - one that could either solidify their rebuild or cost them dearly in the long run.
There’s no guarantee this deal gets done. But if it does, it won’t just shake up the Eastern Conference - it could alter the trajectory of three franchises for years to come.