The Knicks Don’t Need Giannis – They’re Already Closer Than You Think
There’s been a lot of buzz in recent months about the possibility of the New York Knicks making a massive push for Giannis Antetokounmpo if he ever becomes available. Knicks fans, as always, are dreaming big. And I get it—Giannis is a generational talent, a two-time MVP, a champion, and one of the most dominant forces the league has ever seen. Any team in the NBA would get better by adding him. But here’s the thing: I don’t think the Knicks need Giannis to win a championship.
Let’s talk about price first. Giannis wouldn’t just come with a steep price tag—he’d gut the team. We’re talking about multiple unprotected first-round picks, pick swaps, young assets like Donte DiVincenzo or Quentin Grimes, and potentially even one of Julius Randle or RJ Barrett to make salaries match. That’s a heavy cost. And the result? You’d end up pairing Giannis with Jalen Brunson, maybe one other starter, and a bench full of minimum contracts and G-League call-ups. That doesn’t sound like a championship team—it sounds like a top-heavy roster one injury away from collapse.
What the Knicks have built over the past two seasons is something they haven’t had in over two decades: continuity, chemistry, and a legitimate culture. Jalen Brunson has blossomed into a bona fide star. He’s a leader, a clutch scorer, and the exact kind of player you can build around. His play during the 2024 playoffs—averaging over 30 points a game and carrying the team through injuries—proved he’s not just a nice story, he’s a legitimate cornerstone.
Then there’s Julius Randle. Say what you want about his playoff inconsistency, but he’s a two-time All-NBA player who, when healthy, is a walking 20-10. He has the physicality and skillset to complement Brunson perfectly in the regular season and, ideally, in the postseason once he overcomes his injury woes. Add in OG Anunoby—a top-tier 3-and-D wing who fits like a glove next to Brunson and Randle—and you’ve got a trio that balances offense, defense, and versatility.
And let’s not forget Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein, two centers who give the Knicks a bruising presence in the paint, rim protection, and offensive rebounding. Robinson, when healthy, is one of the best defensive big men in the league. Hartenstein, on the other hand, showed incredible versatility and toughness last season, earning big playoff minutes and playing through pain.
If the Knicks are smart—and lately, they have been—they don’t need to swing for the fences with a Giannis trade. What they need is depth. Depth is what wins championships in today’s NBA. Look at the 2024 NBA Finals contenders. They’re not built with three superstars and a bunch of minimum contracts. They’re built with two stars, plus shooters, defenders, and reliable role players off the bench.
That’s where the Knicks should focus their resources. With the right additions—a backup point guard who can spell Brunson, a scoring wing who can create his own shot, and another stretch big who can hit threes and defend—they can match up with anyone in the East. Whether it’s Boston, Milwaukee, or even Miami, the Knicks have shown they’re not afraid of anyone. And they’ve already taken some of those teams to the brink.
Additionally, keeping the core intact means something in this league. Chemistry is underrated. When you trade half your roster for a superstar, you’re hitting the reset button. You’re asking a team to learn each other all over again. That takes time, and often, it doesn’t work out. The Nets tried it with Kyrie, KD, and Harden. The Clippers tried it with Kawhi and Paul George. Even the Suns have tried to build a superteam model, and they still haven’t gotten past the second round.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have something those teams didn’t—stability. Coach Tom Thibodeau has finally found the roster that plays his style. Gritty defense, strong rebounding, tough-minded players. And the front office, led by Leon Rose, has shown patience and discipline. They didn’t overpay for Donovan Mitchell, they made smart moves for OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, and they’ve developed players like Miles McBride and Jericho Sims into solid contributors.
A smart front office doesn’t chase stars just for the headline—they build winners. The Knicks are on that path. Over the next offseason, the goal should be to improve the second unit, maybe re-sign key free agents like Hartenstein, and add a few veteran pieces who can produce in May and June.
Sure, Giannis would be amazing. He’d fill Madison Square Garden every night, dominate the paint, and turn the Knicks into a headline machine. But at what cost? If you’re giving up Brunson or gutting the roster to get him, you’re not making yourself better. You’re just making yourself different.
Winning a title in the NBA isn’t just about collecting names. It’s about finding the right mix. And right now, the Knicks are closer to finding that mix than at any time since the ’90s.
So to the fans pushing for Giannis, I say this: let’s not get distracted. Let’s not get greedy. This team is already built to contend—now let’s put the final touches on it.
Depth wins rings. And the Knicks, as they stand, are just a few solid bench pieces away from making that dream a reality.
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