NBA trade rumors: The latest on the Knicks coaching search, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo

Yahoo

2 days ago

Sure, the NBA Finals are in full swing, but fans of the 28 other NBA teams have one thing on their minds: the offseason. Known for big trades and drama, the NBA offseason has found ways to dominate the sports news cycle in times when basketball should be the last thing on anyone's mind.
This offseason promises to be similar. Future Hall of Famers like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo are expected to be available on the trade market, and one of the league's premier franchises — the New York Knicks — are searching for a new coach.
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Where do all those stories stand with the Finals underway? Yahoo Sports has you covered with all the biggest NBA rumors below.
Knicks, Jason Kidd still in limbo
The Knicks may have narrowed down their coaching search to their top candidate, but there's a problem: He's already taken.
The Knicks are reportedly interested in Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, but New York has yet to ask the Mavericks for permission to talk to the coach. The Knicks like the idea for a few reasons, per Marc Stein. The franchise is familiar with Kidd after he spent the final year of his playing career with the Knicks. The team also believes Kidd could handle the media pressure and spotlight that comes with being in New York. Kidd also has familiarity with Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
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But in order to hire Kidd, the team needs to formally ask the Mavericks to speak with the coach. It's unclear whether the Knicks will do that. Some in the Mavericks' organization believe the Knicks will not ask the team for permission to speak to Kidd, per Stein. It's possible that's because the Knicks believe they will get shut down by the Mavericks, forcing them to look elsewhere for a new head coach.
The team finds itself in a strange spot after the surprising firing of Tom Thibodeau last week. Thibodeau posted a .565 winning percentage in five seasons with the Knicks and just took the team to the Eastern Conference finals.
Given the strong personalities in the Knicks' front office, the team could have multiple ideas on how to replace Thibodeau, per Stein, so losing out on Kidd might not be a huge barrier for the franchise.
Kevin Durant to the Knicks?
The Knicks could have an easy time bringing in a new coach, especially if the club acquires Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. The Suns are expected to deal Durant after the team struggled despite bringing in elite talent last offseason.
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While a number of teams — including the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs — have been mentioned as suitors for Durant, the Knicks continue to be one of the teams consistently mentioned in rumors for the superstar. ESPN's Shams Charania mentioned New York as a suitor for Durant in April, and his colleague, ESPN's Brian Windhorst, brought up that possibility Tuesday.
The Suns may have struggled last season, but it wasn't due to Durant. The 36-year-old showed little sign of decline, averaging 26.6 points and six rebounds over 62 games in Phoenix.
That should make Durant a popular trade target for a number of teams. It certainly sounds like the Knicks want to remain in that mix.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could stay put in Milwaukee. (Photo by)
(Justin Casterline via Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo won't be traded?
There is apparently no trade market for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo right now, per Windhorst.
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Antetokounmpo has not asked the team for a trade, and the Bucks reportedly aren't looking to deal their star.
Given how quickly the NBA offseason shifts, that could change. The Bucks have plenty of incentive to deal their superstar now. Milwaukee was once again eliminated early in the playoffs, and the Bucks are in rough shape following Damian Lillard's injury and the team's lack of control over its future first-round picks.
Antetokounmpo should bring in quite the haul if he gets dealt. The 30-year-old averaged 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds for Milwaukee last season, and is under contract through the 2027-28 NBA season.
Expect a lot of NBA offseason action soon
While rumors are quiet at the moment, things could pick up relatively soon. Windhorst teased the NBA offseason could move faster than normal during an appearance on "First Take" on Tuesday.
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Windhorst mentioned Charania has "cleared his calendar" ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, which will take place June 25. Windhorst teased, "You're gonna get your action very soon."
That action should come once the NBA Finals conclude. If the series goes a full seven games, that would happen June 22, just days before the NBA Draft. It could make for a hectic draft season.