The New York Knicks have been one of the hottest teams in the league.
The New York Knicks are coming off winning the 2025 NBA Cup and they have won 6 games in a row.
They are right on the Detroit Pistons’ tail for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks are trying to win a championship this season, but they have been wrapped up in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors during their pursuit.
Kendrick Perkins doesn’t think the New York Knicks should trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Knicks have been connected to Giannis dating back to the offseason and they have largely been linked to the Greek superstar as of late.
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While Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade, it is widely believed that he will be traded soon.
So could the Knicks go all-in on Giannis, which would boost their title chances? Kendrick Perkins doesn’t think so.
He argued that the Knicks trading for Giannis would actually make them worse because of all of the depth they would have to give up.
“I wouldn’t touch that sh*t if I’m the Knicks.
“I wouldn’t touch Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t touch him for the simple fact that one, you’re going to have to give up two or three major pieces, right?
“So then you’re going to be concerned with depth. I don’t know. I’m pretty sure they’ll figure it out between like him and Jalen Brunson, how that two-man game or how they will work because both of those guys are still ball dominant.
“But giving up a lot of depth and you’re considered the favorite already in the Eastern Conference. I wouldn’t do it. I get it. It’s Giannis. I wouldn’t make that move.
Number two, Giannis hasn’t been healthy in what, the last two, three postseasons? So, like, would you take that risk? And we’re talking about like over the last two seasons or two or three seasons, it’s been his calf.
“So, like, would you leverage something that you already got trying to be greedy and taking that chance? I think if the Knicks actually wanted Giannis, it would have got done when he first requests, reports came out when he requested that he wanted to be traded to the Knicks.
“The Knicks ain’t, it wasn’t no eye candy that they gave back. It wasn’t nothing that was appealing, right? So, would you throw OG Anunoby in that trade? F*** no. You’re talking about something that you need, a guy, a three and D guy, Mikal Bridges?
“Like, no, you need those pieces. Now, would it probably involve Karl-Anthony Towns? I believe so. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t do it if I’m the Knicks. I would stay just the way I am and let them boys go rock out.”
What the New York Knicks would likely have to give up in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Perkins is right when he said that the Knicks trading for Giannis would cost them a lot of their depth pieces.
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The Knicks would likely have to include Karl-Anthony Towns and one of Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby to get a deal done for Antetokounmpo.
That is a substantial amount of talent to give up for one player. On paper, Jalen Brunson and Giannis would arguably be the best duo in the league, but the Knicks would then lack some depth around them.
Given the Knicks’ recent success and them heating up, it wouldn’t be wise for them to break up what has been working for them, even for Giannis.
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