Ian Begley: Giannis Smoke, KAT Tension, and What the Knicks Can Actually Do

Evan & Tiki

Audacy

Sports

4.2 • 988 Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

With the trade deadline nine days away, Ian Begley joins to cut through the noise on the Giannis chatter and what it really means for the Knicks. Begley explains why Milwaukee is still more likely to wait until the offseason, but teams are doing their homework now in case Giannis decides he is ready to be “the bad guy” and ask out. The guys dig into why Jrue Holiday rumors keep getting tied to the Knicks, not as a standalone move, but as a way to make a Giannis pitch more attractive if a bidding war forms. They also tackle the uncomfortable Karl-Anthony Towns conversation, with Begley acknowledging the comments and body language are not nothing, even if it is unclear how deep the issue runs. Begley then gives a blunt answer on the biggest question for Knicks fans: is this roster built to win a title as it is? His view is no, even while admitting the postseason can flip narratives fast. Finally, they get into the practical side of a deadline move, what the Knicks can realistically offer, why certain rotation pieces are hard to move, and how any big swing would have to account for the center situation and Mike Brown’s preferred style.

Transcript

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0:00.0	are the New York Knicks going to do something big?
0:02.2	Even though the owner said, right here on this radio station, he doesn't expect big things to happen. Well, a lot has changed. Let's talk to a guy that we trust the most. Does a great job with SNY, covers the Knicks and the NBA. And that is Ian Begley. Ian, good to talk to you. How you doing, man? I'm doing well. How are you guys? We are fantastic. We've got nine days to go.
0:24.4	Do you believe... How you doing, man? I'm doing well. How are you guys? We are fantastic.
0:21.8	We've got nine days to go.
0:24.3	Do you believe the smoke will continue to puff to the point where Janus Antenacumbo is traded before Thursday's deadline?
0:32.7	If I'm guessing right now, I would guess no, because I think it behooves the bucks to wait until
0:40.4	the offseason. But every postgame comment from Janus, the results on the floor, you just
0:47.3	wonder if he's going to get to the point where he's comfortable being the bad guy in Milwaukee,
0:52.7	asking out, wearing that, and then getting to where he wants to go.
0:56.6	I think that's where all the little smoke is coming from.
0:59.0	I think what's happening is teams have to prepare for that scenario.
1:03.2	So when you're hearing about, you know, maybe they're shopping car in city towns
1:07.9	and maybe they're in Andrew Holliday. We could talk about that stuff.
1:11.1	But I think that's where it comes from.
1:12.7	Teams just kind of doing due diligence in case number 34 Milwaukee asks out.
1:18.5	Yeah, how much does the Drew Holiday noise is starting to float around the Knicks?
1:23.0	How much does that come into play as they try to pair, I guess, if you want to say this, Janus was someone who he's familiar with and trust and is a really good locker room guy?
1:33.5	Yeah, so I think they're Tiki.
1:35.4	Teams have been monitoring this thing and teams that are interested in Janus believe that Janus does want to reunite with Drew Holiday.
1:43.6	So the idea is you trade for Drew Holiday.
1:46.0	You make yourself more enticing to Janus and Tecumpo.
1:50.6	If you get both before the deadline, it's obvious why.
	...

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