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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on October 28, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The New York Knicks have reportedly hit a “hurdle” in their ongoing pursuit of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade due to the diminishing trade value of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges — two players expected to be part of a deal for the two-time MVP Milwaukee Bucks superstar.
According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards, both Towns and Bridges have seen their trade value plummet since the start of the 2025-26 season, which doesn’t bode well for a Knicks team that lacks draft assets to pull off a Giannis trade.
“…Per multiple league sources, [Towns and Bridges] aren’t believed to have the same value today as when the Knicks traded for them, so that could be a hurdle in itself,” Edwards wrote on Sunday, while discussing a potential Giannis trade to the Knicks.
What Bucks Seek in Giannis Trade
The Athletic added that the Bucks are looking for “a premier young player” along with “multiple, good draft picks” in exchange for their longtime franchise star. As is widely documented, the Knicks have neither of those and would need a third team—one potentially interested in Towns and/or Bridges—to help meet the Bucks’ asking price. The diminishing value of Towns and Bridges could also force New York to move OG Anunoby, who reportedly has a significantly higher value, to pull off a Giannis trade.
In comparison, the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat — two other aggressive Giannis trade suitors — can offer more draft assets and a combination of young players. While the Warriors can offer up to four first-round picks and three pick swaps, the Heat have intriguing young players like Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr., besides two tradeable first-rounders. The Minnesota Timberwolves, the fourth team in the Giannis sweepstakes, are in the same boat as the Knicks and can only offer veteran players.
Knicks to Bow Out of Giannis Sweepstakes?
Edwards speculated that the Knicks, who’ll have more draft assets during the offseason, could hold off on a premature Giannis trade and focus on getting through the season. That move, however, comes with its fair share of risks.
“It’s unclear if the Knicks and Dolan are willing to give up their hopes of making the finals this season in order to acquire Antetokounmpo sooner rather than later.”
“It makes more sense for the Knicks to wait to trade for Antetokounmpo in the summer as they’ll have more picks freed up to trade, but maybe they’re afraid of losing a bidding war to even more attractive suitors if it waits until the summer,” added Edwards.
There have been conflicting reports on whether a Giannis trade would materilize by Thursday’s 5 NBA trade deadline or over the sunmer. The Bucks have reportedly told interested suitors that they’re in no hurry to move Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined indefinitely with a calf strain, and could wait until after May’s NBA Draft Lottery, when they would have a clearer picture of the incoming draft picks in a potential move.
The Knicks could benefit if a Giannis trade is held off until the summer.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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