The Golden State Warriors are reportedly pushing hard to land Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline, and the buzz around the Bay Area is starting to feel very real. According to league insiders, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has been working the phones, signaling that Golden State is ready to put serious assets on the table if the Milwaukee Bucks open the door to negotiations.
This isn’t just your typical trade deadline chatter. It’s Giannis - a two-time MVP, a one-man wrecking crew on both ends of the floor, and the kind of franchise-altering talent who doesn’t become available often. And if he is, the Warriors are making it clear they want in.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater shared on NBA Today that Dunleavy has already reached out to the Bucks within the past week, making Golden State’s interest known. The message? If Milwaukee decides to entertain offers, the Warriors will be ready with a substantial package.
Now, let’s be clear: any deal involving Giannis is going to come with a steep price tag, and Golden State knows it. But what they also know is that they’ve been sitting on a stash of valuable draft picks - the kind they’ve protected for a potential post-Steph Curry rebuild. This might be the moment they’ve been saving them for.
Slater noted that while some other suitors may have more enticing player packages, the Warriors could stand out if Milwaukee prioritizes draft capital. That’s a big “if,” but it’s one that could swing the conversation in Golden State’s favor. In a league where future assets are currency, the Warriors might finally be ready to cash in.
There’s also a sense of urgency here. With Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga sidelined by injuries, Golden State is thin on the wing and lacking a consistent secondary scoring option.
Giannis wouldn’t just fill that void - he’d blow it wide open. Pairing him with Curry would instantly vault the Warriors back into championship contention, not just for this season but for the foreseeable future.
And while the idea of Giannis in a Warriors uniform is enough to make any fan dream, it’s not just about the fit on paper. The front office appears willing to make real sacrifices to make it happen.
According to Slater, Golden State is even open to including Draymond Green in a potential deal - a move that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago. Green has been the emotional heartbeat of the Warriors’ dynasty, a defensive anchor and vocal leader through four championships. But in the pursuit of a generational talent like Giannis, no asset is off-limits.
“They’re not actively shopping his contract,” Slater clarified, “but everything is on the table in an Antetokounmpo conversation.”
That includes salary-matching pieces like Butler, and potentially multiple rotation players, depending on how talks evolve. For a front office that’s typically been cautious, this level of aggressiveness speaks volumes.
It also underscores the broader context: the Warriors are trying to maximize what’s left of Steph Curry’s prime. At 38, he’s still playing at an elite level, but the window is narrowing. Adding Giannis would be a bold swing to keep that window open - and maybe even crack it wider than ever.
As for Milwaukee, the situation remains fluid. Giannis’ future has been the subject of league-wide speculation for months, and while he’s under contract, the growing sense is that a second title - whether in Milwaukee or elsewhere - is top of mind.
If the Bucks decide it’s time to consider a reset, the Warriors are positioning themselves as a top bidder. They have the picks, the pedigree, and the willingness to make bold moves.
It’s far from a done deal, but one thing is clear: Golden State isn’t just kicking the tires. They’re revving the engine.