NBA Rumors: Surprising intel links the Knicks to a rival superstar

Even after making two big moves in the lead-up to the season, the New York Knicks are rumored to potentially make a third big trade. According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), the Knicks, who acquired star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves before the season, may trade him to land a bigger star. That could include Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

“The Knicks were mentioned more often in recent months than the Heat or Warriors as a potential down-the-road trade suitor for Giannis," Stein stated.

The Knicks landing Giannis seems far-fetched, though the Knicks still have several picks that they can offer up as well as Towns, though his contract is considered undesirable despite him being a star. If the Bucks were forced to move on from Giannis, they would probably prefer a rebuild rather than taking back Towns. 

Be that as it may, if the Bucks were to acquire Towns, they may potentially flip him later on for more assets. Similar to how the Portland Trail Blazers did with Jrue Holiday in the Damian Lillard trade.

NBA Rumors: Can the New York Knicks trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? 

It seems far-fetched at the moment. Even if Giannis demands a trade and has a list of preferred trade options, he is under contract for at least the next two seasons and only has so much sway. There are also other intriguing landing spots for Giannis, including the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs.

Each team may offer more than the Knicks, including the Heat, who have been frequently linked to him and they have young players such as Kel'el Ware and Jaime Jacquez Jr. and three tradeable firsts.

If there was a bidding war for Giannis, then the Knicks simply don't have enough remaining assets to make a big move to land him. Even if they can work out a three-team deal that would send Towns to a different team and the assets received for Towns to the Bucks, it still might not be enough.

After all, Towns is a polarizing player and he was traded for another polarizing player Julius Randle. As a result, the Knicks might not be able to enter the Giannis sweepstakes should one occur.

On the other hand, if Giannis does try to force his way out of Milwaukee and makes clear that he only wants to play for the Knicks, then they would have at least a fighting chance to acquire him. But with other teams circling and them being equally as attractive as landing spots, the Knicks seem like dark horse candidates for Giannis rather than the front runners.