Without meaning to, the Knicks have done the Milwaukee Bucks a massive favor by dominating their opponents this postseason. Most recently, they swept the Cavaliers off their feet in the Eastern Conference finals. Rivals who want to compete with New York next season should have one thought: we need to upgrade the roster, and possibly in a major way.Â
Enter Giannis Antetokounmpo. Every serious contender in the East should be drafting a trade package to prepare for the likely Greek Freak sweepstakes this summer. That sense of urgency will only increase his trade value for the Bucks.Â
Rivals need sufficient starpower to outshine the Knicks
The Knicks didn't just look like a juggernaut against Cleveland. Since falling behind 2-1 to Atlanta in the first round, they have rattled off 11 straight wins. Each clinching victory has been achieved in blowout fashion. Even more impressive? Each has been on the road.Â
Of New York's 12 postseason wins, one has been by fewer than 11 points. Five have come by 29 points or more. The Knicks beat the Hawks by 51. They followed up with a 39-point win in Game 1 against the 76ers and beat them by 30 to wrap up the series. The Cavaliers tucked their tails and packed their bags after a 37-point beatdown on their home floor.
Point guard Jalen Brunson, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, has proven himself to be a viable top option on a Finals team. Obviously, depth is important, too - and the Knicks have enough of it in Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and others -Â but to match New York's starpower, opponents need a bona fide No. 1 of their own. Atlanta doesn't have that. Neither does Toronto. Or Miami.Â
As for more immediate title threats, the Pistons have Cade Cunningham, but he needs a co-star. Brunson has Karl-Anthony Towns. Cunningham has Duren. Nope. The Cavaliers just found out that Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley are no match at all for Brunson and Towns.Â
Here's one team who probably won't be interested in Giannis: the Knicks. Once viewed as a top Giannis landing spot, they should be pretty happy with their roster. New York has ironically turned the tables on every adversary in the East.Â
Giannis is a No. 1 option as well as an antidote for Towns
There is another aspect that makes Giannis especially valuable as a counter to the Knicks. No opponent thus far has had an answer for Towns in the frontcourt, either defensively or on offense, where Towns can be exploited.
Sure, Mobley should be that in theory, but he wasn't. He does not have a versatile enough offensive game to match Towns pound-for-pound. While Towns' scoring volume is down, he has been incredibly efficient and has dissected defenses as a playmaker. In the playoffs, he is averaging 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists on 57/49/89 splits (while also contributing defensively with 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks).
Atlanta had no counter to speak of. The 76ers have Joel Embiid, but he's not the force he once was on either end of the floor. Could Boston give the Knicks a run for their money? Maybe, but they need to upgrade the frontcourt. Those Jaylen-Brown-for-Giannis speculations just won't die. There's a reason that deal makes sense for the Celtics.
For Eastern Conference contenders built to win now, it's not the time to cheap out. Maybe the Knicks won't get by the Thunder or Spurs in the Finals, but until further notice, they should be considered the kings of the East. Giannis is one of few players in the league who could challenge that power structure immediately - or at least give his new team a realistic chance.Â
Giannis and Cunningham. Giannis and Mitchell. Giannis and Tatum. The Knicks have shown that a one-two punch works. Other teams can't help but take notice.
With a potential bidding war on the horizon, the Bucks have every opportunity to maximize their return in a trade. Make hay while the sun is hot.Â
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