With questions about the future for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chris Paul circulating around the NBA, the New York Knicks may have the opportunity to add a future Hall of Famer as they pursue a title.
However, Ian Begley of SNY reported the Knicks “like where they’re at” and are “highly unlikely” to pursue Paul.
As for Antetokounmpo, Begley reported “not much has changed on the Knicks-Giannis Antetokounmpo front. … No. 1, it would take a lot to get Giannis to New York. It would take Giannis really forcing the issue in Milwaukee by using leverage via his contract extension. Or it could take Milwaukee working with Giannis on the way out. That seems a little bit less likely.”
Both Antetokounmpo and Paul generated headlines Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Clippers shocked the NBA world overnight and decided to part ways with Paul with president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank telling ESPN in a statement, “We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team. We will work with him on the next step of his career.
“Chris is a legendary Clipper who has had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Paul’s “leadership style clashed with the Clippers” with the team feeling he “became disruptive” in his efforts to hold “management, coaches and players accountable.”
Charania also reported on Antetokounmpo, noting his representation and the Milwaukee Bucks have started conversations about “whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere.”
According to the report, Antetokounmpo was open to joining the Knicks this past offseason as the situation reached a point where New York had “an exclusive negotiating window.” However, Charania reported other teams could be involved in trade discussions this time.
Given the connection over the summer, it is not surprising some would connect the Knicks to Antetokounmpo.
New York is also in the middle of a win-now window after the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and adding either of the veterans who made headlines Wednesday could raise its ceiling.
Antetokounmpo would be a much more notable addition at this point of their respective careers, although he would surely cost significant draft capital and perhaps some young players as well. Whether the front office is willing to part with that remains to be seen, and Begley did not exactly paint a picture where New York is incredibly eager to make such a drastic move.
Paul could offer veteran leadership and a secondary ball-handling option off the bench, but Begley also raised doubt about that possibility.
At this point, the Knicks are among the presumed contenders in the Eastern Conference and may look to make smaller additions ahead of the trade deadline in February.
