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Knicks Get Bad News on Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After taking a Game 6 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks took the playoff exit seriously, firing head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons.
The Knicks posted a 51-31 record in their first year with Karl-Anthony Towns as Jalen Brunson's co-star. The two All-Stars also made the All-NBA teams.
There were plenty of successes this past season. Still, New York opted to move on from Thibodeau to find a head coach they believe can take them to the promised land.
There are three active coaches the Knicks have been linked to since firing Thibodeau, with the first being Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Later on, New York was linked to Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.
The Kidd scenario is quite an interesting one. Brunson's former head coach, the Mavericks' bench boss could be tired of being with his current club, which traded Luka Doncic this past season.
With the idea of landing Kidd, the Knicks have also been considered a team to watch in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Formerly the Milwaukee Bucks' head coach, Kidd and Antetokounmpo have a history, too, making for a hypothetical where the Knicks acquire both of them for a reunion.
However, a recent report could shut down those rumors. There is significantly less momentum for Antetokounmpo to request a trade this offseason, according to Jake Fischer.
“The common belief amongst league insiders that he will remain with the only franchise he's ever played for," Fischer reported.
For New York, the hypothetical of landing Kidd and bringing in Antetokounmpo via trade could significantly change the franchise's ability to capture a title.
With the recent report on Antetokounmpo's likelihood to remain with his club, the Knicks' pipe dream becomes significantly less likely.
Still, there is pressure on the organization to nail this offseason after making a move to fire Thibodeau.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
