Knicks Listed as Leading Candidate if Giannis Antetokounmpo Seeks Trade
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The New York Knicks now own the best betting odds to land Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo should the nine-time All-Star ask to be moved either this offseason or ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, according to Bovada Sportsbook.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in May that Antetokounmpo has not made a final decision on his future in Milwaukee and remains open to evaluating other possibilities. Bovada lists New York at +100, ahead of the San Antonio Spurs (+200), Miami Heat (+500), Brooklyn Nets (+600), Boston Celtics (+1600) and Los Angeles Lakers (+2000).
To assemble a package strong enough for the two-time MVP, New York would likely have to include either Karl-Anthony Towns or Mikal Bridges. Bridges agreed to a four-year, $150 million extension last month. Because the deal was completed before Aug. 6, he remains eligible to be traded before February’s deadline, a point highlighted by James Edwards III of The Athletic, who noted the timing preserves the club’s flexibility.
One scenario outlined by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes involves a three-team transaction:
- Knicks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Danny Wolf, a 2026 first-round pick swap (NYK), a 2028 first-round swap (worst of NYK/BKN), and a 2030 first-round swap (NYK)
- Nets receive: Josh Hart, a 2026 second-round pick from Milwaukee (via NYK), and a 2026 second-round pick from Minnesota (via NYK)
In the proposal, Brooklyn would absorb the remaining three years and $63 million on Hart’s contract with its $19.91 million in cap space, gathering additional draft capital for facilitating the deal.
New York is attempting to break through to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and front-office maneuvering continues as the organization monitors Antetokounmpo’s status in Milwaukee.
Source: Basketball Insiders
