NBA Trade Rumors: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Proposal to Knicks Included Kyle Kuzma

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns - Source: Imagn
NBA Trade Rumors: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Proposal to Knicks Included Kyle Kuzma. [photo: Imagn]

The trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo are intensifying. A few days after NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the two-time MVP was discussing his future with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Greek forward has been heavily linked with a trade to the New York Knicks.

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The ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen on Thursday reported on the nature of trade talks between the Knicks and the Bucks.

“Sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that trade talks between the teams included Milwaukee submitting a trade proposal to New York that involved both Antetokounmpo and forward Kyle Kuzma.”
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Pursiainen added that the Knicks, over the first apron, were “unable to take back more salary than they were sending out." He said New York would have been prohibited from sending Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma. The Knicks could have sent a different package to match salaries, but the Bucks likely wanted the aforementioned trio.

Kris Pursiainen, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, tweeted on Thursday that the Knicks eventually walked away from the trade discussions. New York reportedly thought it had a roster strong enough to challenge the OKC Thunder without trading for Antetokounmpo.

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Knicks can still land Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma in more complicated trade, per NBA analyst

The New York Knicks face multiple complications if they want to acquire both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma. NBA analyst Sam Quinn proposed a trade in which both Milwaukee Bucks stars would land in the Big Apple. In this scenario, the two teams will have to rope the Golden State Warriors into the deal.

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The Knicks will get Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma and Anthony Cole while the Warriors receive Mikal Bridges and Gary Trent Jr. Golden State acquires Karl-Anthony Towns, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Deuce McBride and three first-round picks (2026 and 2032 unprotected and 2026 protected). The Dubs also get two unprotected first-round pick swaps (2030 and 2032) in the deal.

The biggest roadblock to this deal is Bridges’ contract, which prohibits the Knicks from trading him until Jan. 31. With less than a week before the trade deadline, another team might win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.

Brian Windhorst reported on Thursday that Antetokounmpo “will be instructing the Bucks where he wants to be traded.” Windhorst added that the Greek Freak told his team that he wanted to play for the Knicks. If Antetokounmpo’s interest remains, he could still land in New York via a more complicated route.

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Edited by Michael Macasero
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