The New York Knicks have a well-documented interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and it appears it may hurt a crucial figure in their locker room. Per The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required), talks last summer between the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks about a potential Giannis trade led to hard feelings from Karl-Anthony Towns. Those feelings are reportedly still lingering.
Towns reportedly upset at Giannis trade rumors
While being in rumors for someone of Giannis Antetokounmpo's caliber may help, no player wants to hear their name in trade rumors. To the cameras, they may say it's a business, but deep down, it does likely sting. There's no telling just how upset Towns is with all of the chatter, especially with the Bucks making it known they are listening to widespread Giannis pitches, but he's likely displeased.
Unless the Knicks stunningly manage to pull a rabbit out of a hat over the next several days and land Giannis Antetokounmpo, those feelings likely won't be going anywhere. The Knicks might not be able to afford to have one of their best players harbor a grudge against the franchise as they aim to fight for a championship. That's not exactly what you want hanging over the locker room.
One has to wonder if those rumors from last offseason have impacted Towns' play. His numbers are down, averaging just 20.2 points per game, the fewest since his rookie year. He's been solid but not quite as good as the Karl-Anthony Towns everyone is used to seeing. Not knowing where he might play tomorrow could certainly factor into that production.
Now, it's also possible that this all eventually becomes water under the bridge. After a sluggish stretch, the Knicks have impressively won five consecutive games and look like a true contender. Winning can solve many problems. Yet, even then, only Towns knows how he feels about the front office and their decision to dangle him in rumors.
If the Milwaukee Bucks seriously engage in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, Towns is not a player they should be seeking in return. Though he's an All-Star-caliber player, he is making $53 million this year, $57 million next year, and has a $61 million option for the year after. That's not the type of deal a team like Milwaukee would want on its books in a post-Giannis rebuild.
It certainly won't help New York's case that they have the worst collection of draft assets of any rumored Giannis suitor.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.