Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the subject of trade rumors, but former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes the New York Knicks would make a major mistake pursuing him. The Knicks have been red-hot lately, going 7-2 in December with tense wins in the NBA Cup semifinal and final, yet Perkins feels chasing Giannis now could backfire.
“I wouldn’t touch that s–t if I’m the Knicks,” said the NBA analyst during his appearance on the “The Road Trippin’ Show.”
Kendrick Perkins says the Knicks should stay away from Giannis
“Would you put OG Anunoby in that trade? F*ck no!”
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— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 19, 2025
The Knicks continue to be the frontrunners to land Giannis Antetokounmpo following offseason reports that they were granted an “exclusive negotiating window” to pursue the 2021 NBA Finals MVP after he indicated interest in joining New York.
“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.”
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo going to the Knicks a bad idea?
Perkins specifically warned that the Knicks would be making a misstep by trading two-way key player OG Anunoby, who is emerging as one of the NBA’s top 3-and-D players this season. Over 17 games, Anunoby is hitting a career-best 40 percent from three on 2.5 attempts per game, all while regularly guarding the opposing team’s top scorer.
“So, would you throw OG Anunoby in that trade? F*** no,” continued Perkins. “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.”
Other teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, both loaded with draft assets, have reportedly cooled on chasing a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, according to multiple insiders, opting instead to develop their highly regarded young cores into potential title contenders.
