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Dec 23, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

via Imago
Dec 23, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks’ pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was a defining storyline of the NBA offseason. “Now if in six or seven months, I change my mind, I think that’s human, too,” Antetokounmpo stated, confirming his current commitment to the Bucks comes with a clear timeline for reevaluation. This comment directly followed an ESPN report that named the Knicks as his only preferred trade destination.
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Despite the intriguing possibility, trade discussions between the Knicks and Bucks in August never gained real momentum. Because the Knicks would have to offer actual players rather than draft assets. A result of acquiring Mikal Bridges for 4 years for $150M.
Amid all the trade speculation, one Knicks player has been declared completely safe. According to a report from Sam Amick, point guard Jalen Brunson is considered “untouchable” in any trade talks with the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The same report identified three of Brunson’s teammates who do not share his protected status. It named Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson as the most likely players to be discussed in a potential trade.
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Jalen Brunson
This implies, the Knicks would have to break up their core to have a chance at landing Antetokounmpo. This perspective was echoed by NBA analyst Zach Lowe, who specifically highlighted the importance of one player on that list. Lowe argued that the Knicks must find a way to keep center Mitchell Robinson in any trade scenario.
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“If there is a trade for Giannis at any point, KAT almost has to go out in the trade to make it workable in any way,” Lowe said on his podcast. He pointed out that trading Karl-Anthony Towns would make Robinson the team’s only proven center, calling him a “massively important piece.”
The financial mechanics also point toward Towns being the central piece in any offer. His salary of $53.1 million for the season is necessary to match the massive contract of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Knicks would likely need to add more players and draft picks to satisfy the Bucks, but the core exchange would be built around their two star big men. To make this happen, New York would need to involve a third team to facilitate the complex transaction.
Possible solution to the trade block
In this scenario, the Knicks would receive Giannis Antetokounmpo and the expiring contract of Tobias Harris to make the salaries work. This would leave the team with a new core built around Jalen Brunson. He would be flanked by OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, with Antetokounmpo playing the center position.
The Detroit Pistons are outlined as the ideal third team partner. They would receive Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson from the Knicks. In return, the Pistons would send multiple first-round draft picks to the Milwaukee Bucks to help complete the overall deal. Detroit has three first-round picks available to trade for a player like Bridges.
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The Milwaukee Bucks would receive Karl-Anthony Towns and four first-round draft picks in this proposed framework. The Bucks could then attempt to flip Towns to another team for even more future assets. This could potentially bring their total haul for Giannis to six first-round picks, a crucial return for a rebuilding team.
The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges, but they are unlikely to recoup that full amount in a subsequent trade. Bridges cannot be traded until February first due to NBA extension rules, creating a narrow window for such a deal to be completed midseason.
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