The New York Knicks are expected to surface in any conversation about a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but league rules and a thin asset pool would make a serious bid difficult, according to ESPN front office analyst Bobby Marks.
Draft capital comes up short
Marks pointed out that New York owns just one future first-rounder that is not subject to a swap: a 2026 pick protected through the top eight and projected to remain with the Washington Wizards. That shortage of draft assets would limit the Knicks’ flexibility before trade talks even begin.
Cap restrictions tighten options
The Knicks are currently above the NBA’s first tax apron, which prevents them from taking back more salary than they send out in any deal. As a result, New York would need to match contracts almost dollar for dollar, pushing negotiations toward player-for-player frameworks rather than pick-heavy packages.
Possible outgoing pieces
To satisfy Milwaukee’s asking price for a two-time MVP, the Knicks would likely have to part with a high-end player. Marks floated Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns as one conceivable option. Another route could involve bundling multiple key rotation pieces such as OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges; however, Bridges cannot be moved until Feb. 1 because of recently signed contract restrictions.
While speculation linking Antetokounmpo to Madison Square Garden is unlikely to fade, a potential bidding war would leave New York with comparatively few chips on the table.
Source: Hoops Wire
