Trade Idea: Knicks Send Barrett to Bucks in Antetokounmpo Blockbuster

The New York Knicks could be interested in trading for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo if he became available.
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The 2023-24 NBA season is inching closer Even if the New York Knicks are unlikely to make a massive trade between now and the season opener on Oct. 25 But observers have had their fun imagining what a deal could look like for a basketball superstar ready to leave their current setting.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors in the past, but those rumblings heated up this offseason after a recent appearance on Bleav's "48 Minutes."

"I am a Milwaukee Buck, but most importantly I am a winner," Antetokounmpo said. "I want to win. I have to do whatever it takes to win, and if there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy, I have to take that situation.”

giannis antetokounmpo
© Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY

With those comments in mind, Andy Bailey Bleacher Report cooked up a trade idea between the Bucks and Knicks that would send Antetokounmpo to New York.

The deal would send RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, first round picks in 2024, 2025, 2027, and 2029, and a 2030 first-round pick swap to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo and Pat Connaughton.

"In the wake of this deal, the Knicks would be left with a core of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Giannis." Bailey writes. "They could use a little more shooting, but that's at least the start of a title contender," 

The Knicks are building a potential contender with a mix of players they wish to keep (Brunson, Randle) and a group of players who could amount to something, but are more likely to be dealt for another star. With the clock ticking on Randle's prime, the Knicks' urgency may soon grow as the season moves forward. If that's the case and Antetokounmpo asks out, the Knicks should be the first to call the Bucks for his services.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.