The Golden State Warriors may not have a fully healthy superstar to headline a trade package, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping them from eyeing the biggest name potentially on the move: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo has made it clear he’s open to leaving Milwaukee - the only NBA city he’s called home since entering the league. With the trade deadline looming on February 5, the two-time MVP’s future is suddenly one of the hottest storylines in the league.
Several teams have been linked to the Greek Freak dating back to the offseason. The Knicks have long been rumored as a suitor, and teams like the Thunder, Spurs, and Rockets have the kind of young talent and draft capital that could entice Milwaukee if they decide to pivot toward a rebuild.
But Golden State? They’re a different kind of contender - and they’re lurking.
The Warriors’ interest in Antetokounmpo isn’t new. It’s been bubbling under the surface for years. But now, with the Bucks potentially open to talks and Giannis sidelined with a calf strain expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks, the timing might finally be aligning.
As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today, “The Warriors hold all of their future draft assets. They can trade all of them - up to four firsts, swaps, and stuff like that.
Steph Curry is there, they have an immediate need for a star player. This is where this discussion begins - Golden State.”
That’s a big statement. And it’s not just about what the Warriors can offer now - it’s about what their future picks might become.
Curry turns 38 in March. If the Warriors start to slide post-Curry, those future picks could become gold for a team like Milwaukee looking to retool.
Golden State’s urgency has only grown since last week, when Jimmy Butler tore his ACL - a brutal blow to their playoff hopes. General manager Mike Dunleavy said after the injury that the team had no plans to move Butler or his two-year, $111 million contract. But reports from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix suggest that stance might not be set in stone.
According to Mannix, the Warriors have “made it known” that a trade package centered around Jonathan Kuminga and Butler - plus a healthy dose of draft picks - could be on the table if Antetokounmpo formally requests a trade.
Of course, there are complications. All three players mentioned - Antetokounmpo, Butler, and Kuminga - are currently dealing with injuries.
Kuminga missed the Warriors’ recent series in Minneapolis with a knee bone bruise. Giannis, as mentioned, is out with the calf strain.
And Butler’s ACL injury is obviously season-ending.
That puts Golden State in a tough spot. They’re sitting at 26-22 heading into Wednesday’s game in Utah, clinging to the eighth seed in a crowded Western Conference.
Without Butler, their ceiling this season looks significantly lower. And while they didn’t have to give up much to land Butler last year, Antetokounmpo is a different kind of prize - a generational talent who could redefine their post-Curry era.
The question now: would the Warriors be willing to mortgage their future to pair Giannis with Steph for one last run?
It’s a gamble. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Golden State over the past decade, it’s that they don’t shy away from bold moves. With the trade deadline just days away, we may soon find out just how bold they’re willing to be.