Ian Begley: Giannis Smoke, KAT Tension, and What the Knicks Can Actually Do
Ian Begley: Giannis Smoke, KAT Tension, and What the Knicks Can Actually Do  
Podcast: Evan & Tiki
Published On: Tue Jan 27 2026
Description: 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.