Article graphics by Omar Zahran (@omarzahran.bsky.social on Bluesky)
As soon as Leon Rose became president of basketball operations for the Knicks, the biggest curiosity for fans was when we would see his “all-in” move. The move that netted the highest tier of superstar that would finally deliver a championship to a fan base that has been desperate for a winner for years.
Star players became available, and the Knicks didn’t budge—until last season, when they traded for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns and reshaped the roster in the process. Even so, one name kept resurfacing: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Since the 2021 title, Giannis’s outlook on Milwaukee has wavered. Giannis wants to compete for championships and keeping him happy is what led to the Damian Lillard trade. But the subsequent waiving of Lillard and signing of Myles Turner led to another spell of discontent. This summer, it has been reported from ESPN’s Shams Charania, that Giannis preferred the Knicks as a destination if he left Milwaukee. The absence of a deal, and his reported preference, tells us a lot about the Knicks while dangling possibilities fans can’t ignore.
