The Golden State Warriors just took a gut punch. Jimmy Butler is out for the season with a torn ACL, and that’s not just a rotation piece lost - that’s one of their most reliable scoring options gone in an instant.
With the All-Star break looming and the trade market starting to buzz, the Warriors find themselves at a crossroads. They can either patch things up and hope for the best… or swing big.
Kendrick Perkins has made his pick. On a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, Big Perk didn’t tiptoe around it: he thinks it’s time for Stephen Curry to make the call - not just any call, but the call - to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“It’s time. It’s the perfect timing,” Perkins said.
“If I’m Steph right now, I’m picking up the phone… and you know who I’m calling? I’m calling Giannis.
And saying, ‘Hey man, what are you winning on? Dammit, I need you and you need me.
Let’s make it happen right now.’”
Now, let’s be real - this isn’t the first time Giannis’ name has been floated in connection to the Warriors. The idea of pairing the two-time MVP with a generational shooter like Curry has been kicking around for years. But with Curry at 37 and Giannis at 31, the timing might finally be right for both sides to consider the unthinkable.
A Curry-Giannis pairing: fantasy or foundation?
On paper, the fit is tantalizing. Curry stretches defenses to their breaking point with his limitless range and off-ball movement.
Giannis, meanwhile, is a downhill freight train who dominates the paint like few others in league history. One thrives outside, the other inside.
Together, they could form the most devastating inside-outside combo the league has seen in decades.
And this isn’t just about aesthetics - it’s about survival. The Warriors, as currently constructed, are teetering.
Butler’s injury didn’t just weaken the roster; it exposed how fragile their championship window really is. They’ve been clinging to the hope that incremental tweaks could keep them in the mix, but the Western Conference doesn’t wait for anyone.
The Spurs and Thunder are surging, and Golden State risks falling behind if they don’t act decisively.
That’s where a move like this - as bold and unlikely as it may seem - starts to make more sense. Giannis brings elite rim protection, rebounding, and transition scoring. Add that to Curry’s gravity and leadership, and suddenly the Warriors aren’t just trying to stay afloat - they’re back in the deep end, swimming with the sharks.
The Giannis question
Of course, this all hinges on one massive question: would Giannis even consider leaving Milwaukee?
Perkins thinks the answer should be yes - and he’s not alone. Giannis already delivered the Bucks a title, cementing his legacy in the city and giving the franchise its first championship in 50 years.
But since then, the supporting cast hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. Injuries, inconsistency, and missed opportunities have piled up, and the Bucks haven’t looked like serious contenders in a while.
So if Giannis were to decide he’s ready for a new challenge, it wouldn’t be about quitting - it’d be about chasing greatness while he still can. And pairing with a player like Curry, who’s in the same phase of his career, would be a move with legacy-defining potential.
Golden State’s clock is ticking
The Warriors don’t have the luxury of patience anymore. Curry is still playing at an elite level, but Father Time never loses. The team’s recent moves have been more about maintaining than transforming, and that’s a dangerous game in a league that’s always evolving.
If there’s a real shot at landing a player like Giannis - even if it requires gutting the roster or giving up future assets - Golden State has to consider it. Because the real risk isn’t making a bold move. It’s standing still while the rest of the league speeds past.
And if Steph does pick up that phone, don’t be surprised if Giannis listens.