As we have reached August, the rumors continue to swirl about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.
Nothing seems set in stone yet, as Giannis is still navigating his decision while he has time off.
We’ve known for a while that we might not get an answer until as early as the end of this month, but speculation will continue.
Whether or not there’s a small chance or a high chance that he leaves, several teams are ready and hopeful for the situation where Giannis does request a trade. One of those teams is the Knicks.
Knicks preparing for Giannis trade request scenario
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where a player at Giannis’ age and with his skillset could request a trade.
Injuries have prevented further success for Giannis after a title in 2021, but there’s no doubt that Giannis is a needle mover for any franchise.
That’s why teams like the Knicks are preparing, even if the chances of it happening are so slim.
The Knicks were just a couple of games away from making it to the NBA Finals for the first time in decades, and have high hopes for another run this upcoming season.
MORE: NBA Draft prospect with ‘Wemby Antetokounmpo’ nickname looks like a future star
They have the core and have made additions to keep that as a realistic goal, but as one writer believes, Giannis is one of the few star players that a team like the Knicks would trade for, despite having a talented roster already.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reported, “It is my understanding that Leon Rose and company have been monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee very closely, even before the offseason started. Many around the league believe the Knicks are interested in star hunting, and while that opportunity hasn’t popped up yet, I certainly believe it’s in the cards if the right situation presents itself” (via @TheDunkCentral).
It’s pretty unlikely that Jalen Brunson would be moved in any hypothetical trade, but aside from him, the Knicks might have to make anyone else available to try and pair Brunson with one of the greatest players of this era.
The Knicks have tried their luck at trading/signing players in the past, such as Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but Antetokounmpo would be an acquisition on a whole other level.
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