With the chase for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade looking like a race the New York Knicks won’t win, should the team pivot to a blockbuster deal for NBA legend LeBron James instead?
For at least two years, there have been whispers about the NY Knicks front office keeping an eye on the possibility of a trade for the Milwaukee Bucks star. However, those rumors started to become a real possibility during the summer.
Milwaukee losing in the opening round of the playoffs for a third straight year last spring seemingly put the team in a position to either get better or consider moving the two-time MVP before he forces a deal. They chose to add to the roster, and they actually got worse. Their 18-28 record heading into the weekend appears to be the last straw.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that Antetokounmpo is ready to divorce the team he has played all 13 of his NBA seasons for. The report immediately reignited speculation about a trade to the NY Knicks. Since the two teams reportedly had limited conversations about a deal in the summer, and Gotham is reportedly a preferred destination for the nine-time All-Star.
NY Knicks can’t make the best offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo
However, with actual trade talks underway, the NY Knicks’ chances don’t look so good. The Bucks are expected to want a boatload of draft picks and potential future stars. It is a return that will mirror what the Oklahoma City Thunder got when they traded Paul George in 2019.
Unfortunately, the NY Knicks can’t make such an offer. They wasted most of their extra draft capital in their 2024 trade for Mikal Bridges, and they can only offer very good veterans with expensive contracts. Furthermore, they would need to involve more teams in a deal, and also hope Antetokounmpo uses the little leverage he has to force a trade to New York.
The Knicks certainly could use a shakeup after an underwhelming 29-18 start to the season. And Karl-Anthony Towns is the player they would most like to move. However, offloading him and his contract would not be easy. Yet, there might be one bold option that would also add a legendary player for the second half.
Should the NY Knicks pursue a trade for LeBron James?
Similar to the NY Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers are having a season that isn’t living up to expectations. They also seem to be heading to a separation with a team great. Future Hall of Famer LeBron James is in the final year of his contract, and all signs point to him departing in the summer unless he is willing to return for a deep discount.
LA could use a roster shakeup, and James would be an interesting chip for a potential deal. However, he is one of the few players in the league who has a full no-trade clause. If he were to approve a mid-season trade, there are very few places he would be willing to go. However, New York for a title run would probably be one of them.
For much of his career, the Knicks and James have flirted from afar, but never got together. This year’s deadline may offer a unique opportunity for a three-month, no-strings-attached fling where he gets to play in Madison Square Garden as a Knick, and then the two sides can decide in the summer if they want to continue the relationship.
Interestingly enough, the NY Knicks and LA Lakers could do a straight-up swap of James for Towns, where the money side aligns perfectly.
LeBron James stats: 22.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 32% 3PT
On a basketball level, the combo of Luka Doncic and KAT would be formidable. Especially with Towns being able to move back to being a traditional power forward next to Deandre Ayton. Instead of an out-of-position center. It certainly would not help LA’s defense, but it isn’t good now anyway. Towns would bring a natural PF in his prime who is an elite scoring threat. Freeing up even more opportunities for Doncic and Austin Reaves.
For the NY Knicks, Towns is just a bad fit in the offensive system of new head coach Mike Brown. It’s a major problem, and his defensive deficiences is only making matters worse. James also would not improve New York’s defense. But he does offer more versatility in a zone set, and another elite ball handler. Something the team is interested in adding. Furthermore, he is still scoring at a high level and brings a championship pedigree that the team lacks.
Is a trade for LeBron James likely? Probably not. But it would offer the NY Knicks a fascinating way to move on from Towns, stay in title contention, and get a lot of cap flexibility in the summer.
