Knicks Reportedly Can't Be Ruled Out as Giannis Landing Spot amid NBA Trade Rumors
The New York Knicks' salary-cap limitations may not stop them from pursuing a potential trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that Antetokounmpo "is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere" for the first time in his career.
The Knicks have already committed more than $180 million in 2025-26 salary to their top five of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, according to Spotrac.
According to Begley, however, "League sources familiar with the dynamic say it would be foolish to count the Knicks out because of their roster construction."
Begley added that "if the 2024-25 season had gone poorly, the Knicks would have had strong interest in dealing for Antetokounmpo."
Antetokounmpo is owed more than $112 million over the next two seasons with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, per Spotrac.
Even if the Knicks move out enough salary to take on that contract, they could struggle to win a bidding war for Antetokounmpo due to their lack of incoming draft assets. ESPN's Bobby Marks and Jeremy Woo recently ranked the Knicks as having the 24th-strongest draft stock in the league.
Antetokounmpo, who has previously expressed his desire to win a second career NBA championship, could tip the scale if he decides he wants to come to Manhattan.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Monday on Get Up that he didn't believe the Knicks or the Los Angeles Lakers "could make an offer that's in the top five or six, but because Giannis potentially has agency in this, then you would say that his words would matter a lot."
The potential pursuit of Antetokounmpo may have to wait until after the postseason. The Knicks, who play again on Wednesday, currently hold a 3-1 Eastern Conference semifinals lead over a Boston Celtics team waiting for an update on a potentially series-changing injury to Jayson Tatum.
