Warriors Miss Out on Giannis Antetokounmpo as Trade Deadline Passes - Curry Weighs In
In the lead-up to the NBA trade deadline, the Golden State Warriors found themselves in the thick of one of the biggest storylines of the season: the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. The two-time MVP had reportedly made it known he was open to a fresh start elsewhere, and Golden State was one of the teams aggressively exploring a deal. But when the dust settled, Antetokounmpo stayed put in Milwaukee - and the Warriors were left empty-handed.
According to reports, the Bucks were open to listening to offers, and the Warriors were among the teams that made a serious push. But despite the buzz and internal optimism, Golden State’s front office couldn’t assemble a package that met Milwaukee’s asking price. That left the Warriors pivoting in a different direction - one that’s already drawing criticism.
NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Warriors’ deadline moves. In a video posted to Instagram, O’Connor questioned the organization’s decision-making and expressed frustration over the team’s inability to land Antetokounmpo - especially in light of what they did instead.
“The fact that for weeks the Warriors front office felt like there was a chance of getting Giannis Antetokounmpo,” O’Connor said. “They put their best offer out there on the table for him and then they end up trading Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis, who has POTS.”
O’Connor didn’t stop there. He took a broader view of the Warriors’ recent track record, calling out a string of missteps in the draft and missed opportunities in the trade market.
“The last four years, they have been the biggest losers in the entire league,” he added. “It’s just been whiff after whiff in the draft, they have whiffed on their young guys, their opportunities. They whiff on every trade opportunity... another year wasted of Stephen Curry still playing in his extended prime of his career - and that sucks.”
It’s a harsh indictment, but it reflects a growing sentiment among some observers who believe the Warriors are squandering the final elite years of Curry’s career. The 35-year-old is still performing at a high level, but the window for contention isn’t wide open forever.
The Warriors’ actual move at the deadline - sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis - raised more questions than answers. Porzingis, when healthy, can be a game-changer with his size and shooting touch. But health has always been the asterisk next to his name, and with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) reportedly affecting his availability, it’s a gamble.
Curry Speaks on the Giannis Pursuit
As for Curry, he finally broke his silence on the Giannis situation. Speaking with ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the four-time NBA champion clarified that he wasn’t directly involved in the trade discussions - even though his presence could have been a significant factor in any potential pitch to Antetokounmpo.
“I wasn’t on the phone with (general manager Mike Dunleavy) and them making calls,” Curry said. “I knew there was an offer that was made, as you’d expect.
At the end of the day, nobody got him. So that’s the situation right now.”
It’s a measured response from Curry, who has always taken a team-first approach and rarely wades into front-office matters. Still, it’s hard not to wonder what might’ve been. A Curry-Giannis pairing would’ve instantly vaulted the Warriors back into the title conversation - not just for this season, but for years to come.
Instead, the Warriors are left to regroup and move forward with what they have. Porzingis brings a new dynamic to the frontcourt, and there’s still plenty of talent on the roster. But the missed opportunity to pair Curry with one of the most dominant two-way forces in the game will linger - especially if Golden State finds itself on the outside looking in come playoff time.
For now, Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee, and the Warriors will have to wait for their next shot at a superstar. Whether that opportunity comes this summer or further down the line, one thing’s clear: the clock is ticking on the Curry era, and the margin for error is shrinking.