Knicks mentioned as a potential landing spot for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The New York Knicks are on the verge of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 1999-00 season. They have a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics, who announced on Tuesday that Jayson Tatum underwent surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered late in Game 4.

Barring a historic meltdown against a team without their best player, New York will move one step closer to their first title in over five decades. While Knicks fans have plenty to be happy about, the good news could get even better.

NBA insider Ian Begley revealed that the franchise are a team to watch this summer in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes that many expect to take place.

"After trading for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby, the Knicks - on paper - don’t look like a team that could trade for Antetokounmpo," SNY's Ian Begley wrote Monday. "But league sources familiar with the dynamic say it would be foolish to count the Knicks out because of their roster construction, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. If the 2024-25 season had gone poorly, the Knicks would have had strong interest in dealing for Antetokounmpo, Begley notes."

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While the Knicks don't control much of their future draft capital, they could look to entice the Milwaukee Bucks with players who can help the team remain competitive. The Bucks do not control their first-round pick until 2031 so a traditional rebuild could be something they are looking to avoid.

It remains to be seen if New York will look to get involved in the sweepstakes for the nine-time All-Star, who will earn his seventh consecutive top-four finish in MVP voting this season. Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.1% from the field.

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