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Any trade sending Antetokounmpo to the Knicks is inherently complicated. The Bucks are reportedly seeking young players and picks in return for their superstar, but the Knicks don't have much of either. New York's top eight scorers are all 25 or older, and the franchise's only tradable first-round pick is a top-eight-protected selection from the Wizards that is extremely unlikely to convey. (It would turn into second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.)
This framework would check multiple boxes. In addition to sending Antetokounmpo to New York, it would give the Knicks a perfect backcourt complement to
Jalen Brunson and reunite Antetokounmpo with Holiday a half-decade after they won a title together in Milwaukee. It would return to the Bucks two of the far-off future picks they sent to Portland (along with Holiday) in the ill-fated
Damian Lillard trade, giving them flexibility in the post-Antetokounmpo era. And it would give a major boost to the Trail Blazers' roster as it seeks its first playoff berth since 2020-21. McBride might immediately become the best guard in Portland, and lineups with Bridges,
Deni Avdija, Towns and
Donovan Clingan could excel on both ends.
Whether that upgrade -- and getting off Grant's contract -- is worth so much extra draft capital could be a sticking point for the Blazers. Milwaukee would also have to decide it would rather receive fewer picks but regain control over its own draft future instead of choosing a return with more of another team's picks. And New York would end up condensing its two major acquisitions from last season (Towns and Bridges) into one bigger star. But this sort of trade structure is necessary to get Antetokounmpo to Madison Square Garden and has at least some appeal to all involved parties.
-- Kram
Marks' analysis: This trade is contingent on how much Milwaukee values regaining control of its 2029 and 2030 first-round picks. If those picks are considered critical to the Bucks' rebuild, there is a path to a deal. The potential roadblock is the $70 million owed to Grant over the next two seasons and the fact that Milwaukee is not getting back a young player to build around. The trade feels more like Milwaukee cleaning up a mistake it made from the Lillard trade in 2023.
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