Are the Knicks a Threat to the Bucks’ Future? Rivalry Week, Trade Rumors & Playoff Reality Check
Milwaukee Bucks face a pivotal test as they take on the surging Oklahoma City Thunder for NBA Rivals Week. Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and company compete with one of the league’s hottest teams, or is this matchup a wake-up call for Milwaukee’s playoff ambitions? Justin Garcia and Camille Davis dissect the Bucks’ evolving lineup, including Pete Nance’s surprising impact and looming injury concerns for Myles Turner and Kevin Porter Jr. Key discussion points include shifting rotations, what the Thunder’s injury report means for Milwaukee, and whether the Bucks can avoid the pitfalls that have plagued them against shorthanded opponents.
Off the court, trouble is brewing for Eastern Conference rivals. The New York Knicks’ disastrous recent stretch sparks questions about potential trade ripple effects—could this reignite rumors around Giannis or shake up the playoff picture? The episode wraps with a lively debate on a possible Khris Middleton buyout and return to Milwaukee. Will roster moves and deadline deals define the Bucks’ postseason fate?
0:00 – Bucks-Thunder “Rivalry” Preview
7:12 – Bucks Lineup & Injury Analysis
12:29 – Knicks, Trade Rumors & Giannis Speculation
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21 Comments
Knicks can offer Kat, OG or Bridges, Deuce, Mitch Robinson, some of the youngsters on their bench and most if not all their first and second rd pks till 2030.
They blew it when they fired Tom Thibodeau and are now shocked that they have lost their defensive identity, tough resilient bulldog character and the never give up dawg the coach had instilled in them over a 5 yr climb from nba bottom feeders ( Bucks not too far from that as of this moment) to two wins shy of the Finals.
They r suffering buyers' regret and willing to make a huge move rt now to make all that go away and might offer the Bucks both a decent team for the present and a future they don't have at this moment.
Won't happen unless Giannis wants it to happen as he seems willing to wait till the summer to reconsider the issue again but it is a choice the Bucks and Giannis might have to take seriously if they r unable to get MPJ by the deadline, the Bucks' last chance to become a serious contender (esp if the Bucks were to also suddenly shock the world and replace Doc with Thibs, the only coach available with any real chance of saving and changing this team immediately..).
I like the Bucks and I will continue to follow them. However, I hope that the Knicks make a nice offer and get Giannis to the Knicks..this season!
OKC and Denver about to Wax us
"Pete Nance Truther"😭😭😭
c'mon let us save Giannis Career trade him to Knicks..
How can you be worried about Middleton's defense, the walking Styrofoam statue Green is giving up 30-50 points a night
MY NBA FANTASY TRADE FOR 2025-2026 SEASON. (As of February 21, 2026)
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA (FORWARD/CENTER) FROM SAN ANTONIO SPURS TO LOS ANGELES LAKERS (Update Below)
CHET HOLMGREN (CENTER) FROM OKLAHOMA THUNDER TO MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES or SAN ANTONIO SPURS (Update Below)
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (FORWARD/CENTER) FROM MILWAUKEE BUCKS TO NEW YORK KNICKS or BOSTON CELTICS or MIAMI HEAT or LOS ANGELES LAKERS. (Update Below)
BAM ADEBAYO (FORWARD/CENTER) FROM MIAMI HEAT TO GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
MIKAL BRIDGES (SG/SF) FROM NEW YORK KNICKS TO BOSTON CELTICS
NIKOLA VUCEVIC (CENTER) FROM CHICAGO BULLS TO MILWAUKEE BUCKS or NEW YORK KNICKS
NICHOLAS CLAXTON (CENTER) FROM BROOKLYN NETS TO CHICAGO BULLS or BOSTON CELTICS
JAYLEN BROWN (GUARD/FORWARD) FROM BOSTON CELTICS TO BROOKLYN NETS (Update Below)
DEANDRE AYTON (CENTER) FROM LOS ANGELES LAKERS TO SAN ANTONIO SPURS
DEVIN VASSELL (SG) FROM SAN ANTONIO SPURS TO LOS ANGELES LAKERS
JOSH GIDDEY (PG/SG) FROM CHICAGO BULLS TO SAN ANTONIO SPURS
STEPHON CASTLE (SG) FROM SAN ANTONIO SPURS TO CHICAGO BULLS
DENNIS SCHRODER (PG) FROM SACRAMENTO KINGS TO BOSTON CELTICS
DERRICK WHITE (PG/SG) FROM BOSTON CELTICS TO SAN ANTONIO SPURS
JA MORANT (GUARD)FROM MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES TO BROOKLYN NETS
ALEX CARUSO (PG) FROM OKLAHOMA THUNDER TO MIAMI HEAT.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (FORWARD/CENTER) FROM MILWAUKEE BUCKS TO NEW YORK KNICKS or BOSTON CELTICS or MIAMI HEAT or LOS ANGELES LAKERS.
A possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee Bucks to Boston Celtics might push thru due to the long unavailability of Jayson Tatum due to injury. A dominant Power Forward/Center like Giannis Antetokounmpo is greatly needed by Boston Celtics to cover the loss of Jayson Tatum.
A possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee Bucks to Miami Heat might push thru if Bam Adebayo might move forward to another team like Golden State Warriors.
A possible trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo to New York Knicks as additional firepower for the Power Forward/Center Position. He can partner with another tower Karl-Anthony Towns
Another option is Giannis Antetokounmpo might be traded to Los Angeles Lakers to play as the Power Forward. In this case, Power Forward Rui Hachimura might be traded somewhere else since he will be replaced by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama must be acquired by the LA Lakers so he can play the center position and Lebron James will play as the number 3 position/Point Forward. If a deal will push thru for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be at LA Lakers, I suggest that Rui Hachimura will be traded to Miami Heat to play the Power Forward position to partner with Miami Heat Center Kel’el Ware. Another thing for this case, if Victor Wembanyama will be acquired by the LA Lakers, Deandre Ayton will be traded to the San Antonio Spurs.
If in case, there is a Salary Cap Issue in Los Angeles Lakers, they will be limited to options.
The LA Lakers will do the option of acquiring just 1 big man and that is either Victor Wembanyama or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Case 1: If LA Lakers will acquire Victor Wembanyama, the LA Lakers might not push to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo due to Salary Cap Issue. Giannis Antetokounmpo might find some other NBA team to settle down. He might go to New York Knicks or any other team or he can still stay at Milwaukee Bucks.
Case 2: If LA Lakers will acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, The LA Lakers might not push to acquire Victor Wembanyama again due to Salary Cap issue. Victor Wembanyama might find another NBA team if he wants to be traded. He also has the option to go back in France or in Europe to play for any French Team or any Euroleague Team.
CHET HOLMGREN (CENTER) FROM OKLAHOMA THUNDER TO MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES or SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Chet Holmgren might be traded into Minnesota Timberwolves. The Minnesota Timberwolves might be very interested to sign in Chet Holmgren thru trade to become the starting center to support the older veteran center Rudy Gobert. BIG ADVANTAGE: Chet Holmgren is a Minnesota native. He was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
If the trade will push thru, Minnesota Timberwolves will have 2 options:
A.) Minnesota Timberwolves might trade out Naz Reid to either Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Lakers, sign Chet Holmgren and keep Rudy Gobert.
B.) Minnesota Timberwolves might trade out Rudy Gobert to San Antonio Spurs, sign Chet Holmgren and keep Naz Reid.
The NBA trade deadline for the 2025-26 season is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). That is the final moment teams can complete in-season trades for players, picks, and other assets during the regular season.
The Bucks will still find a way to fumble the next game 😅if they hope to win GA would have to play 35 Min and score 40 triple double
If Turner and KPJ don't play Doc has his excuse already 😅😂😮
It would be great to get number 22 back in Milwaukee!
This bucks can pretty much anyteam. But it's all about the execution and our gameplan. Hopefully they didn't study Doc😂
Dude when thinking of big games against OKC im thinking all the way back to when like Serge was still there. Kinda early on in Giannis' assent. Like one of those prove it matchups. A couple years ago when we still had middy and Brook we matched up with OKC and made whats his name feel like a failed experiment at center lol
Khris defense isn’t great anymore but that lil thing he does on defense where he initially cuts you off and sways all his weight to whatever side you were going is still better than what some guys are giving us
Bucks vs Thunder always makes me think of the Jevon Carter “when I woke up” game
I think a bench of Khris , KJP , Harris Nance , Trent Portis would be awesome ! In close games Khris is a deadly finisher and his D is still better than AJ green . Get him back BUCKS buy him out like the wind !
Thunder missing 4 players. Could go either way.
A trade to the knicks is coming but it’s not Giannis, miles, Bobby , kuzma and gtj and 1 of our first rounders for bridges and Kat if not then miles, kuzma And our 1st for kat
I was at that Giannis baseline winner game in OKC 😂😂 my first ever game in person. It was a birthday gift and we had tickets near the court. I was the only Bucks fan. OKC fans damn near wanted to fight me after the game 😭😭🤷🏾♂️ I had to talk my talk. Lol
Best way for Bucks to level up is Giannis to play like a big man again. His team needs him to use his gravity as a roller, dunker, and mid-range.
Also much more difficult to for d to have to guard Giannis and the ball, then every one stare at Giannis as he drives to the rim, and kicks out, making it extremely easy for d to recover from.
Always harder to defend if you can split the two, and it's THE single best way for him to impact winning, much more so than having him try to do the Luka/Joker. That's just stat padding. Most teams he is on need him to play like a big man, because those are the physical gifts few other players in the league have ever had. That's what makes him special. Not watching him drive and kick.
I get Giannis wanted to play a specific way but this teams a lot better if he plays like a dominant big man versus a primary initiator role.
Wow if only Bucks traded Dame, if an injured Butler has value, Horst needs to be fired.
Giannis needs a huge pay cut to 20m if he wants to win another title.