On ESPN’s morning show, Jay Williams discussed the potential fit between Giannis Antetokounmpo and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, and what it would take for New York to finally stack superstars in the modern NBA.

Williams argued that adding a superstar like Antetokounmpo would not only elevate the Knicks’ championship ceiling but also help preserve Brunson’s longevity as the team’s lead guard.

Drawing a comparison to legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Williams explained that Brunson shouldn’t have to carry the offensive load every night throughout the grueling NBA season and playoffs.

“I think what puts Jalen Brunson in the best position long term is to be 1A when you need him to be 1A the most at the end of games,” Williams said.

“A guy like Giannis can carry that load, and actually, I think their games are very compatible. They’d work well together,” Williams added.

The end of ‘superstar stacking’?

While the idea of pairing Giannis with Brunson is tantalizing, Williams also acknowledged the new realities of NBA roster construction. He noted that the era of “stacking superstars” may be coming to an end due to the league’s stricter salary cap rules, specifically the second apron, which makes it much more difficult to assemble multiple max-contract players on one team.

Adding to the challenge, the Knicks have already traded away a significant number of future draft picks in their deal for Mikal Bridges, limiting their flexibility to pursue another blockbuster trade.

With Giannis set to make even more than Karl-Anthony Towns annually through 2028, fitting his salary into the Knicks’ books would require major maneuvering.

Knicks’ path forward: dreaming big but facing reality

The conversation around Giannis and the Knicks highlights the tension between big-market ambition and the constraints of the modern NBA. While New York fans can dream about a Brunson-Giannis duo lighting up Madison Square Garden, the front office faces significant obstacles in making that fantasy a reality.

Still, as the Knicks regroup and look to build on their recent playoff success, the idea of landing a superstar like Giannis will remain a hot topic.