The best the Knicks could realistically do right now in any Giannis Antetokounmpo trade still fails to supply the critical component - some form of future assets - that the Bucks must prioritize. In the wake of last week's reports, analyst Zach Lowe proposed swapping Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma for Karl Anthony-Towns plus OG Anunoby and first-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2032 on The Zach Lowe Show.
It was the one viable Knicks package he sees as somewhat compelling. It's not bad, but it doesn't give the Milwaukee Bucks a path forward.
Bucks need reason for hope if Giannis leaves
It goes without saying that the Bucks would only entertain the Knicks' offer if Giannis actually requests a trade. The front office would then have to honor his wishes in trying to cut a deal with New York rather than maximizing the return haul. If the Bucks fail to field a competitive roster and Giannis asks out, it's also possible that he expands his list of preferred landing spots, putting the Knicks at a disadvantage given their limited draft stock.
Suppose, though, that all prerequisites are met for the two teams to hold realistic discussions. Swapping Giannis and Kuzma for Towns and Anunoby is not the worst possible return. Turning Kuzma into Anunoby makes it a much better deal than one centered on a Giannis-Towns exchange. It's also true that because the Bucks don't control any of their own first-round picks until 2031, emphasizing NBA talent in a return package makes some sense.
Unless they get their own draft picks back, they have no incentive to tank and might as well be competitive.
Still, though, they need to keep the future in mind. Milwaukee's own cupboard of draft assets is nearly bare. Those Knicks pick swaps are essentially useless - based on franchise trajectory, odds are the Knicks are better than the Bucks five to seven years from now. Trading away Giannis would leave the franchise without an anchor. General Manager Jon Horst would need assets to forge a new identity.
As good as Towns is, he isn't a franchise player. Would the Bucks extend him ahead of his $61 million player option in 2027? Probably not. He is a defensively challenged big man who cannot run an offense by himself. His salary and extension uncertainty also depress his trade value further. In Milwaukee, he would likely end up being a two-year rental or traded below his value.
Anunoby is worlds better than Kuzma but is still a role player and perhaps overpaid. His $39.5 million salary only goes up in following years, leading to a $48 million option in 2028.
While it would keep them afloat for now, such a deal would not give the Bucks much hope for the future. Neither Towns nor Anunoby is a great trade asset due to financial concerns and, to a lesser extent, age. Both would be 31 before their player options kick in.
If Giannis walks out the door, the franchise will need something to build around. With a less than stellar rest of the roster, losing Giannis would trigger a dark age of Bucks basketball, even with the addition of Towns plus Anunoby. A trade package void of valuable picks or budding talent would provide no light at the end of the tunnel.