The NBA is known for some of the most absurd trades that can come out of nowhere. Look no further than February’s stunner that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, to the horror of Dallas Mavericks fans.
It leaves you wondering when the next blockbuster could come, and what teams it could involve. All eyes are currently on the Milwaukee Bucks, where one of the best players in the world, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been involved in trade rumors since they lost in the first round to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers.
While there is currently no indication that the Bucks would trade their franchise cornerstone, this is the NBA, where anything is possible.
A recent trade proposal from Sports Illustrated would shake things up around the association, to say the least, and it involves the Bucks, New York Knicks, and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Bucks Acquire: Zion Williamson, Kelly Olynyk, Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, and five first-round picks
Pelicans Acquire: Karl Anthony Towns
Knicks Acquire: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The headliner of this mock trade is obviously the Greek Freak to the Knicks, where he instantly creates a championship favorite in New York. A duo of Jalen Brunson and Antetokounmpo would strike fear in the rest of the Eastern Conference and possibly even the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pelicans can finally move on from their former No. 1 overall pick, Zion Williamson, who has flashed potential as a former All-Star but has been unable to consistently stay on the court throughout his career in New Orleans. Swapping him out for Towns, who has proven himself to be a star, makes them better and provides a building block to construct a playoff contender around.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, which is still paying off its draft pick debts to the Portland Trail Blazers from the Damian Lillard trade, can get a kick start on its rebuild. Williamson is a wildcard, but if he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a top-15 player in the league.
Five first-round picks don’t hurt either, and they can develop two youngsters with potential in former Knicks draft picks Dadiet and Kolek.
If this deal were to become a reality, it would all hinge on Milwaukee’s willingness to trade its former Finals MVP, and the Knicks, for certain, are holding out hope that they do.
