The New York Knicks are reportedly on the list as a potential suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

To someone inside the NBA Marc SteinNew York was considered a “future trade suitor” for the Milwaukee Bucks star, but Stein noted that was before the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But since the trade, “multiple competing teams,” according to Stein, have “wondered out loud” whether the Knicks were trading for Towns to later use in a deal for Antetokounmpo.

Last week on CBS Sports Bill Reiter It reported that an unnamed executive with the Western Conference team said “teams are circling and hopeful” that Antetokounmpo could be traded at some point during the 2024-25 season.

Reiter also noted that another executive said they “wouldn’t be surprised” if a trade happens before the deadline, while a third executive mentioned the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destinations.

Trading Antetokounmpo after the Bucks won the title in 2021 seemed like a ridiculous scenario. Three years later, this may be the best move for both parties.

Milwaukee has failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs since its title run and has been eliminated in the first round in consecutive years, including last year when the Bucks brought in veteran star Damian Lillard.

Through six games of the 2024-25 season, Antetokounmpo, Lillard and the Bucks are 1-6.

The 2021 NBA MVP was as dominant as ever, averaging 31 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists to start the year. Lillard also had a good showing early on, posting 26.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5 rebounds.

The outstanding play of Antetokounmpo and Lillard hasn’t been enough to translate into a win in Doc Rivers’ first season as head coach, and some sort of change seems inevitable.

The new-look Knicks started the year with a 3-2 average. Towns put up 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game, including a 44-point win over Miami.

Although the 28-year-old Towns could make New York a major threat in the East, the Knicks likely wouldn’t have any reservations about trading him if it meant signing a player like Antetokounmpo.

It remains to be seen whether either team is willing to pull off a blockbuster trade this offseason.