Grade the Trade: Knicks land Giannis Antetokounmpo in blockbuster pitch

Another week, another superstar in the NBA entering the rumor mill. This time around, it is Giannis Antetokounmpo, once thought to be the most secure star in the league. While the Greek Freak does seem to love Milwaukee, and he did win a title with the Bucks in 2021, recent comments suggest that if he doesn’t feel he can win in Milwaukee he will request a trade or walk in free agency.

That could simply be an honest answer to a question, a bit of pressure on the Bucks organization to continue spending, or it could be a window into his evaluation of the roster around him. If he and the Bucks get to a place where a trade is on the table, the New York Knicks will be at the front of the line to add the two-time MVP.

Could the New York Knicks land Giannis Antetokounmpo?

NBA Insider Marc Stein mentioned the Knicks (subscription required) as one of two teams that could add Antetokounmpo, but opening up enough cap space in two summers would be difficult. They likely need to work out a trade, and that will require a lot of the assets they currently have on the roster.

What would it look like for the Knicks to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? And what would it mean for the Knicks to have a true top-5 player in the league for the first time since the 1970s (apologies to Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Ewing and Bernard King who landed in the top 10 for a few seasons each)? Let’s lay out the deal and see whether the return is worth the cost.