Knicks: They get over the hump. Giannis is a New York Knick. Plus a guy they are currently having talks about in jrue holiday as a backup ball handler and elite defender. This gives the knicks that fear factor and turns them into the favorites in the east. Losing mikal is hard and may hurt chemistry in ways. But when you get the chance to trade for a top 3 player itw you do it. Especially when he wants to be there. Not to mention Deuce has taken a real leap and can start next to brunson at the 2 if needed. Their 2 best players are no longer bad defensively and this trade greatly improves that side of the ball. it also creates variety in lineups they can run in specific situations. Here’s a few Starting 5 #1: Brunson, Deuce, Hart, OG, Giannis Starting 5 #2: Brunson Deuce or Hart, OG, Giannis, Mitch Bench: Jrue, Kolek, Shamet, Mcullar, (Hart, Deuce, or Mitch)

Portland: They have been rumored to want Mikal recently. Here they give up 2 pick swaps to get him, but also move on from jrue and his contract. They get yabu as salary filler and can use him as trade bait for bigger upgrades.

Bucks: The rebuild begins. You get 3 firsts from NY and 2 of your picks back from Portland. You bring in young players like kolek and dadiet who can be nice building blocks or even trade bait. A veteran in Clarkson who is used to this situation. You do have a decision to make with Towns and Turner. You are not going to keep both as the do a similar job. So you ca use 1 as trade base for even more younger players and draft capital.

Trade goes through on February 1st (Mikal becomes trade eligible)