The Golden State Warriors are officially on the clock. With less than a week to go before the trade deadline and Jimmy Butler now sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, the franchise is facing a pivotal crossroads - one that could define the next era of Warriors basketball.
And at the heart of it all? A potential all-in swing for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t the plan when the season tipped off. Golden State entered the year knowing they weren’t the top dog in the West anymore, but they believed in their mix of veteran leadership, led by Stephen Curry, and a young core that was supposed to grow into something more.
That belief took a hit when Jonathan Kuminga, once seen as a key piece of the future, fell out of the rotation by December. After being named a starter in October, the 23-year-old forward was suddenly racking up DNP-CDs - a clear sign that something wasn’t clicking.
Trade talks involving Kuminga were already on the table. Then Butler went down, and everything changed.
Now, the questions are stacking up fast: Do the Warriors hang onto Butler and the remaining two years of his $111 million contract, knowing he’ll be 37 and coming off major knee surgery? Do they still move Kuminga, or rethink his role in light of Butler’s injury? And most importantly - do they push all their chips to the center of the table and go after Giannis?
That last question is the one that matters most. If the Warriors believe they can land Giannis, the rest of the decisions fall into place.
Let’s talk about the fit. Giannis Antetokounmpo, at 31, is still firmly in his prime.
He’s a two-time MVP, an NBA Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and a nine-time All-Star. He’s also reportedly more open than ever to a fresh start after a few frustrating seasons in Milwaukee.
And while Giannis’ game is built heavily on athleticism, his skill set would be a near-perfect complement to Curry’s.
This season, the NBA introduced a new metric called “gravity,” which measures how much attention a player draws from defenders beyond what’s expected based on floor spacing. It’s a stat that finally quantifies what we’ve known about Stephen Curry for years - his presence warps defenses like few players in league history.
Curry currently boasts a perimeter off-ball gravity rating of 29.6. To put that in perspective, the league average is zero.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander checks in at 19.7, Kevin Durant at 18.6, and Luka Dončić at 17.4. Curry also ranks fifth in perimeter on-ball gravity, behind only Luka, Anthony Edwards, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard.
Giannis doesn’t show up on the public leaderboard for gravity - he didn’t meet the minimum games played threshold - but anyone watching him knows the truth. His combination of size, speed, and relentless rim pressure makes him one of the most gravitational forces in the paint, both on and off the ball.
Put Giannis and Curry on the same floor, and you’re talking about an offensive nightmare for opposing coaches. One pulls defenders out to the logo; the other collapses entire defenses into the paint.
Good luck game-planning for that.
And it’s not just about offense. Draymond Green, now 35 and turning 36 in March, is still a high-IQ defender and communicator, but he’s not the same player he was during Golden State’s peak years.
Asking him to anchor the defense without a true big man next to him is a big ask. Enter Giannis.
His ability to protect the rim, switch onto guards, and cover ground in transition would take a massive load off Draymond’s shoulders. Together, they’d form a terrifying defensive tandem - one that could still make life miserable for elite offenses.
Then there’s the bigger picture. Curry turns 38 in March 2026.
While his game has aged better than most - thanks to his shooting and conditioning - he’s been carrying the Warriors’ offense since Kevin Durant left in 2019. Bringing in Giannis wouldn’t just give Curry a co-star; it could extend his career by allowing him to pick his spots more carefully.
So, what would it take to get a deal done?
The Warriors have the assets. A potential trade package could include Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody - or possibly Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis instead of Moody - to make the salaries work. Golden State also has a strong draft arsenal: first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030 (top-20 protected), and 2032, plus pick swaps in 2027 and 2031.
That’s four firsts and two swaps - a hefty price, but one that reflects the caliber of player they’re targeting.
And if Giannis wants to bring his brothers along - Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo - that’s doable, too. Thanasis is on a veteran minimum deal, and Alex is on a two-way contract. These are the kinds of details that matter when you’re trying to land a superstar who values family as much as Giannis does.
There’s also a chance Kyle Kuzma could be involved, depending on how the pieces fall. And don’t be surprised if this turns into a multi-team deal to help balance salaries and roster needs. The NBA trade market rarely works in straight lines.
Of course, the Bucks will have their say. If Giannis signals that he wants out - and specifically wants Golden State - Milwaukee will have to weigh the Warriors’ offer against other potential packages.
Miami, for instance, could throw young players like Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. into the mix. But how that compares to Golden State’s blend of youth and picks depends on how Milwaukee wants to rebuild.
For the Warriors, though, this is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often. A chance to pair Stephen Curry with a generational talent like Giannis Antetokounmpo - in the prime of his career - is the kind of move that could not only keep their championship window open, but blow it wide open again.
If Giannis is available and willing, the Warriors have to go for it. Plain and simple.