The NBA world was thrown into chaos early Tuesday when reports surfaced claiming that Giannis Antetokounmpo had considered only one team for a potential trade: the New York Knicks. It’s the kind of revelation that sends shockwaves through the league and reframes how the Knicks’ recent rise should be viewed.
Still, if there’s one major takeaway from the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumor, it’s that New York’s priority remains winning a championship — not blowing up its foundation for one superstar.
The Knicks certainly have the assets to make a legitimate push if Milwaukee ever opens trade talks. Between a deep pool of young talent and a war chest of draft picks, New York could put together a competitive package. Yet, as Shams Charania reported, team president Leon Rose has resisted the temptation to chase one player, instead choosing to build steadily toward a title.
“The Knicks have had an eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo for the past couple of years,” Charania noted. “But they’ve continued to make moves independent of his potential desires, all with the goal of moving closer to a championship.”
It’s a refreshing approach for a franchise long associated with chasing stars instead of building a sustainable winner. While it might be tempting to imagine Giannis in orange and blue, Rose has focused on creating a team that can contend with or without him.
The results speak for themselves. The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years last season — a feat that likely wouldn’t have happened if they’d waited on Antetokounmpo instead of aggressively pursuing players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Those moves helped define New York’s modern identity: depth, toughness, and balance.
Now, with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the charge, and a supporting cast featuring Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have built one of the deepest rotations in the league.
There’s no denying that a Brunson–Antetokounmpo pairing would make the Knicks instant title favorites, but that dream remains hypothetical. Until the opportunity becomes real, Rose and his front office appear content to do what has long eluded New York — build a sustainable contender the right way.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo ever does decide to make the move, he might find that the Knicks no longer need saving.
