If Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly on the trade block - and all signs suggest he is - then the NBA landscape could be in for a seismic shift. When a two-time MVP becomes available, every front office across the league is at least picking up the phone.
But not every team has the assets or financial flexibility to make a serious run. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, one team that might be better positioned than most?
The Golden State Warriors.
Marks assessed the trade difficulty for 11 potential suitors, and the Warriors - alongside the Detroit Pistons - received the lowest difficulty rating at just 2 out of 10. That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal or even close, but it does suggest that Golden State has the pieces to make a compelling offer without completely gutting the roster or mortgaging the future beyond repair.
There’s a caveat, though - and it’s a big one. Jimmy Butler’s $54.1 million salary would need to be part of the deal to make the numbers work.
That’s not a small ask, especially considering Butler is currently sidelined with a torn ACL. Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has previously said that trading Butler isn’t something the organization is actively considering, even with the injury.
But when a player like Antetokounmpo becomes available, all bets are off.
“Unless the Warriors are going to trade Draymond Green,” Marks noted, “Butler’s salary this season would need to be included.”
And that’s where things get interesting. If Golden State is serious about entering the Giannis sweepstakes, Butler may end up being the necessary sacrifice.
The proposed package would likely include Butler, young forward Jonathan Kuminga, promising rookie Brandin Podziemski, and up to four first-round picks. The Warriors also have the ability to include up to three pick swaps, giving Milwaukee flexibility and upside in a potential rebuild or retool.
To balance out the financial side of the deal, the Bucks would likely need to send back either Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma (assuming Kuminga is in the deal), helping to match salaries and keep the trade compliant with league rules.
Dunleavy, for his part, has left the door slightly open. After Butler’s injury, he spoke about the veteran’s value and potential return next season, praising his basketball IQ, physicality, and ability to contribute even as he ages. But he didn’t completely shut down the idea of a trade.
“At some point during the season, him returning and being the player he’s been… I think he’s got a style of game that can play for a long time,” Dunleavy said during a press conference on January 20. “So, I guess my vision for him is him returning at some point between now and this time next year.”
That’s a far cry from an untouchable label. And if the prize is Giannis, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors wouldn’t at least explore the possibility.
Looking at the broader picture, Marks also ranked the difficulty of potential trades for other teams. Behind the Warriors and Pistons (both 2/10), the Raptors came in at 3/10, followed by the Trail Blazers (4/10), Spurs (6/10), and then a cluster of teams - Thunder, Heat, Rockets, and Hawks - all at 7/10. The Knicks and Timberwolves had the steepest hills to climb, each rated at 8/10.
In other words, while the competition will be fierce, Golden State is one of the few franchises with the right mix of assets, contracts, and flexibility to make a real push if the Bucks are serious about moving their franchise cornerstone.
It’s still early, and there’s no guarantee a trade happens. But one thing is clear: if Giannis is on the table, the Warriors are very much in the conversation.