Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Giannis is open to playing for teams other than the Knicks

"It's going to be well beyond just the Knicks from my understanding"

[F Gump]

So what will this look like?  KAT + picks?

I don't think it will be quite like how Windy is painting it. No team will allow a player to force them to get screwed in a trade. Nor do they have to. More likely, the conversation will end up with MULTIPLE possibilities for MIL to work with, and will also include the concept that if they can't get suitable value in return, they are not going to be trading him.

[omahen]

So what will this look like?  KAT + picks?

NY can't trade any FRP now.

[Tyler]

So serious question -- What team in the Giannis chase has a better player to offer (that they're willing to trade) than Anthony Davis?

[Smitty]

I think you're much closer to what's likely to happen in a Davis to CHI trade, but man I don't like it. I don't know much about the rookie French kid to be honest. Has he even played this year?

I agree that Pat Williams is almost a lock to be in the hypothetical deal. Not something I want from the Mavs POV but feels mandatory from CHI side. If Martin and Hardy are outgoing, you get rid of all your bad/negative contracts (except PWill). 

The next logical move would be trading Klay for another pick or asset. Huerter can fill his role for a lost season.


In the end, I'd be pretty down if this was the trade. Maybe I need to watch more of Essengue to change my mind?

Nevermind… 

@UnderdogNBA
Noa Essengue to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

[omahen]

Sneaky very interesting candidate for Milwaukee could be Atlanta. Milwaukee actually has worse pick of NO-Mil in 2026, which both could end up very high in the lottery. Atlanta owns the other pick, meaning Milwaukee could end up with two high 2026 picks. Add in for example Risacher and Trae Young, and that team could make a quick rebuild soon. Atlanta would field Giannis-KP-Johnson-NAW and Daniels. A defensive juggernaught lineup. Milwaukee could ship Trae to a third team for some trash salaries and more picks.

[Smitty]

@esidery
The Bucks would have no interest in Karl-Anthony Towns for a potential midseason Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with the Knicks.

New York would need to build a blockbuster deal around OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, who isn’t trade-eligible until January 31st, to make salaries work.

[omahen]

I also see some rumors that SA would be aggresively pursuing Giannis. Wemby and him are basically a perfect fit. I could see them offering Harper and a bunch of picks for Giannis. It would put them in an instant contention discussion.

From Giannis perspective, though. If he goes to SA he is probably the second guy behind Wemby in terms of stardom. Not that Wemby is necessarily better already, but SA is his team. Its very similar to Durant to GSW move. If he goes to a team like Atlanta, he is number one guy. SA though in a much better position to contend.

[Chicagojk]

I also see some rumors that SA would be aggresively pursuing Giannis. Wemby and him are basically a perfect fit. I could see them offering Harper and a bunch of picks for Giannis. It would put them in an instant contention discussion.

From Giannis perspective, though. If he goes to SA he is probably the second guy behind Wemby in terms of stardom. Not that Wemby is necessarily better already, but SA is his team. Its very similar to Durant to GSW move. If he goes to a team like Atlanta, he is number one guy. SA though in a much better position to contend.

I think ATL has to be a favorite.    I do think Giannis would be tough for SA to turn down but they look really well positioned and may not be super aggressive to put an offer that MIL would jump at.  I think the same for Houston.    Both were favorites for best packages for Giannis this summer.  Not sure they go that far at this point.  

The New Orleans looks golden right now and it is difficult to see the Pelicans not having a worst 5-6 record.    I wonder if they could get more picks though?   If ATL needs a point guard after, I would be happy to send them DLO .

Miami would be another sneaky one.   I don't think they have enough but I could see them in the picture.  I would not trade him to Miami as their players never look better once they leave Miami.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So serious question -- What team in the Giannis chase has a better player to offer (that they're willing to trade) than Anthony Davis?

The Mavericks are not in the Giannis chase.

[Tyler]

The Mavericks are not in the Giannis chase.

Even if we're not, we can still be a very helpful 3rd team who can offer the best player back to Milwaukee. For a steep price to the team wanting to close the deal, of course.

[mvossman]

Even if we're not, we can still be a very helpful 3rd team who can offer the best player back to Milwaukee. For a steep price to the team wanting to close the deal, of course.

If the Bucks have no interest in KAT I'm kind of doubting they have interest in AD.

[omahen]

Some rumors that Lakers and GSW are actively looking for ways to trade for Herb Jones. GSW can outbid any Lakers offer easily, as their best offer would be something like Rui+2031 FRP (they can throw in Knecht if NO wishes). GSW has Kuminga and most of their picks. The question is, if they are actually willing to put that picks on the line, as life after Steph will be tough. Their 2026 pick could be intriguing, as NO smartly traded their own away. Herb Jones is a player that fits on any team, but GSW could probably use a center more than a wing. Jones would be absolutely perfect for Lakers.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1p..._suffer_a/

Giannis injury in the 1st quarter of tonight's game.

[Tyler]

If the Bucks have no interest in KAT I'm kind of doubting they have interest in AD.

I think AD has more value. The Knicks would trade KAT for him in a heartbeat.

[mvossman]

I think AD has more value. The Knicks would trade KAT for him in a heartbeat.

He may have more value, but its more about what the Bucks are looking for.  They are in a similar position as us (except they have no Flagg).  This is their only chance to reset given the lack of control of their future picks.  They are going to want long term players and picks.  I can't see them interested in a significant portion of the value coming back being an oft injured almost 33 year old player.

[SleepingHero]

He may have more value, but its more about what the Bucks are looking for.  They are in a similar position as us (except they have no Flagg).  This is their only chance to reset given the lack of control of their future picks.  They are going to want long term players and picks.  I can't see them interested in a significant portion of the value coming back being an oft injured almost 33 year old player.

Well we don't really know what the Bucks are looking for. Just that they aren't looking for KAT. Which makes sense given that he's a 2nd option center getting paid 60 mil a year who is an offense only player.

You can make the argument that AD's salary might be prohibitive for the Bucks, but he's worth his contract more than KAT, and he's a much, much better player. MIL has no incentive to tank given their pick situation. And the fact all of their picks are sprinkled around the league it makes it difficult for them to even fix that.

AD makes more sense for them than KAT at the very least.

[mvossman]

Well we don't really know what the Bucks are looking for. Just that they aren't looking for KAT. Which makes sense given that he's a 2nd option center getting paid 60 mil a year who is an offense only player.

You can make the argument that AD's salary might be prohibitive for the Bucks, but he's worth his contract more than KAT, and he's a much, much better player. MIL has no incentive to tank given their pick situation. And the fact all of their picks are sprinkled around the league it makes it difficult for them to even fix that.

AD makes more sense for them than KAT at the very least.

Don't disagree with any of this.  But they have no chance to compete any time soon (if they can't win with Giannis they can't win).  AD is a win now player.  They don't get any value from losing, but the priority has to be picks and young players over wining in the short term, right?  

What a terrible fate that would be for AD too.  He goes from having to follow Luka footsteps to having to follow Giannis.

[FireNicoHarrison]

The Mavericks are not in the Giannis chase.

And that's good.

[vfromlmf]

So when do we start talking about keeping AD and trading Kyrie? Last night's win was fun.