Logistics are not getting in the way of the bookies, who are now labeling the New York Knicks as favorites to acquire superstar big man Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to SportsBetting.ag, New York is at +100 to land the 30-year-old, who is a two-time NBA MVP and has finished in the award’s top five in each of the last seven seasons.
He is coming off a customary dominant campaign with Milwaukee, in which he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 blocks per game. But the Bucks’ direction has provided some concern for the nine-time All-Star, who realistically is on the back end of his prime years, but will still be one of the more dominant forces in the game.
Antetokounmpo’s contract has two years and a player option remaining, which will see him make $58 million next year.
Such a talent would perceivably help the Knicks take the next step toward a championship. They made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century, but fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Along with their lack of depth, one of the Knicks’ largest shortcomings last season was Karl-Anthony Towns’ defense, which was exposed throughout the playoffs. While he was still an All-Star starter, his name would understandably be a prominent one in hypothetical trade talks.
Another Knick preparing for his second year with the team, Mikal Bridges, is safe. His four-year, $150 million extension bars him from being traded for six months.
As first reported by James Edwards III of The Athletic, the Knicks have been monitoring Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee.
It would take a considerable package, meaning at least another player to make the salaries work, and draft picks would have to be dealt to make it work.
