The New York Knicks are undoubtedly title contenders with their current roster. 

The 2024 Eastern Conference Finals participants have been dominant in their last six contests and possess one of the most daunting starting lineups in the league (Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby). 

However, ESPN’s Zach Kram’s Knicks trade idea would transform New York from title contenders to title favorites. The hypothetical deal would land the franchise a 6-foot-11 Milwaukee Bucks NBA champion forward.

“Any trade sending (Giannis) Antetokounmpo to the Knicks is inherently complicated,” Kram wrote Monday. “The Bucks are reportedly seeking young players and picks in return for their superstar, but the Knicks don’t have much of either.”

“New York’s top eight scorers are all 25 or older, and the franchise’s only tradable first-round pick is a top-eight-protected selection from the Wizards that is extremely unlikely to convey. (It would turn into second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.)”

“This framework (Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday to the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Miles McBride to the Portland Trail Blazers, and Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, Guerschon Yabusele, and draft capital to the Bucks) would check multiple boxes.”

Adding Antetokounmpo would help put the Knicks over the top this season and give them a clear edge over the rest of the competition. Antetokounmpo’s unstoppable full-speed crossover jab and powerful finishing ability, combined with Brunson’s elite isolation chops and manipulation tactics, would be electric to witness on the hardwood. 

The only problem is, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently reported that the Knicks feel comfortable going to war without Antetokounmpo on the roster, making Kram’s trade concept unlikely.

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