One trade idea could end up helping both the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks

The New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks don't have much in common, other than being Eastern Conference teams. They are two teams in different situations, who are both looking towards the playoffs but from different angles. For the Knicks, they're a team struggling to fulfill their lofty expectations and may be hampered by a key player who doesn't fit their scheme as well as they would have hoped for. For the Bucks, they're a team looking in from the outside. That's not all, though, as it's not just about the playoffs for Milwaukee. They're hoping to get help for franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo and keep him around long term.

Antetokounmpo is currently hurt and is weighing his options for the future. He can be a free agent in 2027, and so the Bucks are doing everything they can to not only keep him happy but also optimize his remaining prime years. While many seem to think the Bucks will move on from him before his contract expires, thus getting something back for the man that lead them to an NBA Championship, a path does remain where the Bucks can make a few moves to satisfy their star player while also making themselves an NBA title contender. 

One of those plays would include linking up with the Knicks. In a proposed trade piece from The Ringer, the Knicks would trade away Karl Anthony-Towns for the Bucks' Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and a top-five protected pick in 2031. On paper, this may not make a lot of sense, as Anthony-Towns is still seen as a better player than anyone they're getting back. Not to mention the optics of giving up on him after they traded away Julius Randle for him.

Still, while Anthony-Towns is the best player in the trade, he isn't the best fit for the Knicks. Turner is a better defensive big man who can space the floor well and fits in better with how Mike Brown runs his schemes. You add in Kuzma, who can probably get you around 12 points and five rebounds a night off the bench, and you may just have a better team after the move. 

This gives the Knicks a lot of options talent-wise, and turns a player who's a liability on defense into a strong defensive frontcourt and arguably the deepest bench in the East.

Plus, if the Bucks turn around their season, the Knicks then get a first-round draft pick from Milwaukee. It's an asset that gives New York a lot of options in the offseason. They take a rookie with that pick, trade it for an established star, use it and another piece to move up and take a more anticipated prospect, or even trade out of the pick and acquire future picks. 

The possibilities are endless.

More: What Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury means for Bucks’ trade plans, playoff outlook, future with Greek Freak

For the Bucks, Anthony-Towns is a piece they need. The Knicks are not desperate for his offense, and his lack of defense has become a liability. The Bucks, however, are desperate for talent, and Anthony-Towns' offense could be the solution to what ails them. If the Bucks can land an All-Star-level scorer and only give up one pick and matching salary, then it's a move you would make a thousand times. Losing Turner would hurt some, as he's a solid defensive big man who can make positive impacts on that side of the court, but his defense isn't as necessary as Anthony-Towns offense. 

Milwaukee is just 27th as a team in points per game, as opposed to 13th in opponents' points per game. They're as solid a defense and likely won't take much of a step back as long as they have Antetokounmpo. 

Towns isn't the guy that many thought he'd be when the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted him number one overall in 2015, but he's still a five-time All-Star who, for his career, has hit 50% of his shots from the floor and just under 40% (39.8%) from three for his career.

While his stats are down in 2025-2026, at just 30 years old, there's no reason to suggest that he can't rebound this season and beyond. He's around the same age as Antetokounmpo, and his contract expires around the same time as well. Considering his skill sets, his age, and contract length, he's the perfect pairing for the Bucks and their star. 

Plus, with the decline in value among certain All-Stars, the Bucks may not be done with one trade. They could possibly find a way to also land someone like Ja Morant, the Bucks may be a real threat for this year and beyond.

This is a trade that allows both teams to find pieces that fit their needs better, and should probably happen if both teams want to have deep postseason runs. 

More NBA news:

• Trail Blazers could be in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but for a different player
• Steph Curry is approaching an unbreakable three-point career milestone that you can't even fathom
• Warriors targeting 6-foot-8 forward averaging 22 PPG this season
• Bucks should trade for former No. 1 pick instead of Ja Morant, analyst suggests
• Celtics could land elite DPOY center without giving up Derrick White in latest mock trade
• Pistons should make a bold trade for Kyrie Irving, NBA insider suggests