Knicks’ perfect Giannis Antetokounmpo trade offer with Bucks star exploring options

Giannis Antetokounmpo just wiped the Milwaukee Bucks from his social media. The two-time MVP scrubbed nearly everything, leaving only his 2021 championship and 2024 NBA Cup posts visible while changing his profile pictures to Greece national team jerseys.

The message couldn’t be clearer after 12 years in Milwaukee. Giannis is exploring his options, and according to reports, there was only one team he truly wanted to join previously: the New York Knicks.

The trade that could finally make it happen

Here’s the framework that could bring the Greek Freak to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks would send Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, one 2026 first-round pick, and three first-round swaps (2028, 2030, 2032) to Milwaukee.

In return, New York receives Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. This represents the absolute maximum package the Knicks can realistically offer with every available asset going into the deal.

The deal can happen starting December 15, just 10 days away. Thanasis signed with the Bucks this offseason, making him ineligible to be traded until that date under league rules.

Pairing Giannis with Jalen Brunson would create an instant championship contender. The Greek Freak averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season before his calf injury. Towns has been exceptional since arriving, averaging 22.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game this season. Hart brings toughness and versatility, while Robinson anchors the defense. Losing all three hurts, but landing a generational talent justifies the sacrifice.

Milwaukee receives a legitimate All-Star in Towns, who can score and space the floor. Hart and Robinson provide solid contributions, while the draft compensation offers future flexibility.

The draft capital trade-off

This trade exhausts nearly everything the Knicks have left. After sending five first-round picks to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges last summer, their draft cupboard is already nearly bare.

The Washington first-rounder and three swaps represent their entire future draft capital. Without those picks to add young talent, the Knicks would rely on veteran minimums and mid-level exceptions to build depth.

Developing affordable young players becomes nearly impossible without draft picks. The margin for error shrinks dramatically if injuries strike the core. One major setback could expose the lack of cheap, controllable talent on the roster.

However, that’s the calculation when chasing a player of Giannis’s caliber. If he and Brunson deliver a championship, the sacrificed draft picks become an afterthought.

New York tried this before

The Knicks already pursued Giannis during the offseason. Sources told ClutchPoints that trade talks took place last summer, with New York emerging as his preferred destination outside of Milwaukee.

Shams Charania revealed that an exclusive negotiating window existed during August. Giannis made his intentions clear about wanting to join the Knicks if he left Milwaukee.

“Over the offseason, Antetokounmpo explored external options and was open to playing for one team outside of Milwaukee, the New York Knicks,” Charania said.

Those talks collapsed after Milwaukee included Kyle Kuzma alongside Giannis in their proposal. The salary matching became complicated, and the two sides couldn’t find common ground.

Mikal Bridges’ extension further complicated matters. The Knicks signed Bridges to four years and $150 million in July, making him untradeable until January 31. New York couldn’t include him during those August negotiations.

The Bucks now sit at 10-13, outside the playoff picture as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference. Giannis is sidelined for two to four weeks with a calf strain. His social media purge suggests his patience with Milwaukee is wearing thin.

Multiple teams are preparing packages for December 15, creating competition across the league. Brian Windhorst noted that while Giannis might expand his preferred destinations, New York remains firmly on his radar.

The Knicks hold a real advantage if Giannis maintains his preference for them specifically. Milwaukee might prioritize his happiness over extracting maximum value, which is the only scenario where this trade works.

The Knicks haven’t won a championship since 1973. This might be their best shot in decades, with Brunson in his prime and a solid supporting cast already in place.

This proposal puts everything on the table. Quality players, every available draft pick, and the willingness to sacrifice long-term flexibility for immediate contention. It’s New York’s best and final offer.

If Giannis still wants New York and Milwaukee accepts, the Greek Freak could be heading to Broadway. The window opens in 10 days. The pieces are there. Now it’s just a matter of whether everyone is ready to pull the trigger.

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