If the New York Knicks were serious about trying to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo over the summer, at least one person in the NBA knows exactly when they should have put together their best offer.
Per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, one NBA insider said the Knicks should have made their pitch to the Milwaukee Bucks back “in June.”
The comment comes after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Antetokounmpo and his representatives cited the Knicks as his “only” preferred landing spot when they were looking into potential future options during the offseason.
Things did get to a point where the Knicks and Bucks had talks, but Charania noted they “never got traction on a deal.”
Amick noted those discussions took place in August. The timing is crucial because the Knicks gave Mikal Bridges a four-year, $150 million extension that was signed on Aug. 1, meaning he can’t be traded until Feb. 1 under the NBA’s six-month rule.
While Bridges certainly wouldn’t have been the centerpiece of a deal for Antetokounmpo, he would be a piece that the Knicks could have used to fill out a trade package.
As a result of their trade for Bridges last offseason, the Knicks don’t have the type of draft capital to include in a deal that we often see for superstars. Over the next six years, they only have control of their first-round picks in 2026 and 2030.
Amick cited Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson as potential pieces that could be included in a potential deal for Antetokounmpo if he decides to leave Milwaukee.
Jalen Brunson was described as “untouchable” by the Knicks, per Amick.
Antetokounmpo told reporters on Wednesday he is “locked in” with the Bucks right now, but he could always “change my mind” in the coming months based on how things play out this season.
There are few teams under more pressure than the Bucks going into the 2025-26 season. If they are able to piece together a team capable of competing for a spot in the NBA Finals, it might be enough to convince Antetokounmpo to give them at least another season.
If things go south, though, the Bucks appear to be in serious jeopardy of losing arguably the best player in franchise history because he doesn’t feel like they are going to be good enough.
In the scenario were Antetokounmpo pursues a way out of Milwaukee, all indications are the Knicks could be front and center to add him.
We will begin to find out where things stand for the Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Oct. 22 when they tipoff the regular season against the Washington Wizards.