Analysis: 3 trades that the Knicks must complete to win the 2026 NBA championship

Explore three bold trade options, including a big deal in Giannis that could help the New York Knicks win the 2026 NBA championship.

The New York Knicks are at the peak of their glory. After making breakthroughs in the 2024-25 season, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and achieving a record of 51 wins and 31 losses, the team is closer to the NBA championship than at any time in decades. But as another playoff loss settles, a clear message is: being self-confidence is not enough. The Knicks must show bold, aggressive and strategic actions during the offseason to move from a competitor to a champion.

Jaylen Brunson played at the MVP level, Carl Anthony Towns provided strong offensive firepower, and strong players such as Mikal Bridges, OG Anunobi and Josh Hart, whose lineup foundation is very solid. However, New York has to make some transformational trades to break the Eastern Conference deadlock and shake up the NBA's top team status. The following three deals are expected to make the Knicks a league leader in 2026, including a big offer to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Big deal: Giannis Antetokounmpo joins New York

Trading advice

Kans get:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks get:

Carl-Anthony Towns

Michael Bridges

Michael Robinson

2026 and 2028 first-round draft picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly is "open to his future in Milwaukee after another disappointing exit in the playoffs and a serious injury to Damian Lillard. The Bucks' outlook is bleak, and the Knicks have plenty of tradeable players and draft capital, so New York is one of the few teams capable of making attractive offers.

The deal will weaken the Knicks' roster depth, but the combination of Giannis and Jaylen Brunson will immediately create one of the most powerful duo in the NBA. Giannis' dominance on both sides of the offense and defense will give New York a superstar advantage that it has lacked since the 1970s. Although expensive, sacrificing Towns’ scoring, Bridges’ defense and Robinson’s rebounding, the Knicks are still able to retain veterans Anunobi, Josh Hart and a strong backline.

From an economic perspective, the deal is challenging, but practical. The Knicks are approaching the cap cap, but focusing the cap space on a true superstar is a risk that champion teams must take. With Giannis, the Knicks will immediately become the favorite to win the Eastern Conference and truly threaten the championship.

Defense upgrade: Mitchell Robinson for Herb Jones

Trading advice

Knicks get:

Herb Jones

Pelics get:

Mitchell Robinson

2027 second round draft pick

If the Knicks missed Giannis, or want to further strengthen the wing defense, then signing Herb Jones is a wise choice. Jones ranked in the top five in the Defensive Player of the Year and was selected for the All-Defensive Team, while shooting above the league average for three-pointers. His versatility will make Tom Thibodeau a defensive player who can defend the NBA's best wing.

Mitchell Robinson has reached an all-time high after his excellent playoff performance, but his injury history and Ariel Hookeporty's rise as a rotational insider have made him an optional player. Swapping Jones for Robinson will allow the Knicks to use a smaller roster, focus more on switching defenses, and improve their perimeter defense, which is a key factor in the success of the playoffs.

Bench score improvement: Signing Jordan Clarkson

Trade recommendation

Knicks won:

Jordan Clarkson

Jazz won:

Myers McBride

Pacom Dadit

2026 second round draft pick

Knicks' bench scores performed unstable in the 2024-25 season. Although the performance of Miles McBride and Cameron Payne was stable, they were not outstanding. Jordan Clarkson is an experienced scorer who may be the much-needed backup firepower for New York. Clarkson averaged 16 points per game with the Jazz, and he was able to create shots and explode quickly, which would show a new dimension for the Knicks in the playoffs stalemate. The Utah Jazz are in the rebuilding phase and they are likely to be willing to bring in young players and draft picks. For the Knicks, the deal will cement their second squad and ensure that the scoring drought will not affect their far-reaching performance in the playoffs.

These transactions are valid for several reasons. First, signing Giannis will bring a veritable top five players to the Knicks and the outstanding talent they need to win in today’s NBA championship. Herb Jones' joining will significantly enhance the team's defensive diversity, making the Knicks one of the league's most defensive teams and allowing them to effectively switch defenses and limit top scorers. Finally, introducing Jordan Clarkson will make up for one of the Knicks’ biggest weaknesses - substitute scores without sacrificing any core starter. The window of the

Knicks has opened, but the Eastern Conference is still full of strong teams. The Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are all good, while the West is full of young talented players. To stand out, New York must take risks and try boldly.

Jaylen Brunson is unwavering in the confidence of this team: "There is no doubt. I am so confident in this team." But confidence alone cannot win the championship. The three deals – marked by a strong deal against Giannis – could eventually bring the Larry O'Brien trophy back to Madison Square Garden.