Giannis on the Trade Block? Warriors Finally in Position to Make Their Big Move
The moment Warriors fans have been waiting on for years might finally be here - Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the trade market. And if you’ve followed Golden State’s long-term strategy, it’s clear they’ve been quietly preparing for just this kind of opportunity.
The Warriors have passed on plenty of trade possibilities in recent seasons - some that raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. But now, with the two-time MVP potentially available, that patience could be about to pay off in a big way. Golden State is in a prime position to make a serious run at Antetokounmpo before the February 5 trade deadline, and according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, they might just have the strongest offer on the table.
“The Golden State Warriors are a team that rises to the top of the list,” Windhorst said on NBA Today. “The Warriors hold all their future draft assets... up to four firsts and swaps and stuff like that. This is where this discussion begins - Golden State - and everyone else is gonna have to try to beat a strong Golden State offer if it comes.”
That’s not just smoke. The Warriors still control all of their own first-round picks, with the only caveat being a top-20 protected 2030 pick owed to Washington. In a league where draft capital is currency, Golden State is sitting on a vault.
And let’s not forget - this isn’t some new interest. The Warriors have had their eyes on Antetokounmpo since at least 2019. That’s nearly seven years of calculated planning, and while they managed to add another championship banner in the meantime, they’ve also been stockpiling assets and holding firm on their young talent, waiting for a moment like this.
Take their recent draft history, for example. Golden State landed three lottery picks between 2020 and 2021 - James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody.
While Wiseman has already moved on, Kuminga and Moody remain, and both have shown flashes of real upside. Whether they’re part of the trade package or not, they represent value - either as developing contributors or as trade chips.
The Warriors’ reluctance to cash in those chips earlier has drawn criticism, especially as the team has struggled to maintain its championship form. But if it was all in service of a potential Giannis deal, the strategy starts to make a lot more sense. It’s not just about adding a superstar - it’s about finding the right superstar, and Antetokounmpo fits that bill as well as anyone in the league.
Picture this: Giannis and Stephen Curry on the same team. The two-time MVP and the greatest shooter in NBA history, sharing the floor, sharing the spotlight, and potentially redefining what a modern NBA offense looks like. It’s the kind of pairing that would send shockwaves across the league - and give the Warriors a legitimate shot at extending their dynasty into a new era.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go. Milwaukee will have no shortage of suitors, and any deal involving Antetokounmpo is going to be one of the biggest blockbusters in recent memory. But Golden State isn’t just in the conversation - they might be leading it.
For a franchise that’s been playing the long game, the clock is finally ticking. The pieces are in place.
The opportunity is real. Now it’s up to the Warriors to decide if the years of waiting and asset management were worth it - and whether they’re ready to push their chips in for a generational talent.