Warriors Positioned as Legitimate Contenders in Potential Giannis Trade Talks
If the Milwaukee Bucks ever seriously entertain the idea of trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Golden State Warriors could be one of the few teams with the right mix of assets to make a compelling offer. Among a group of 11 potential suitors, the Warriors-alongside the Pistons-are viewed as having the lowest degree of difficulty in constructing a deal that would catch Milwaukee’s attention.
Here’s why: Golden State has a rare combination of young talent, movable contracts, and a full arsenal of draft picks. That’s the kind of flexibility that front offices dream about when chasing superstars.
A potential trade package might include Jonathan Kuminga, who’s blossoming into a high-ceiling two-way forward, and rookie Brandin Podziemski, whose feel for the game and shooting touch have turned heads early in his NBA tenure. Add in four first-round picks-including one in this year’s loaded draft class-and up to three pick swaps, and you’ve got a foundation that could rival any offer on the table.
To make the salaries work, the Warriors would likely need to take back a sizable contract-possibly Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma-depending on how Milwaukee structures the deal. Both players could be pieces the Bucks are open to moving off of, particularly if they decide to pivot toward retooling around a younger core.
Of course, any trade for Giannis wouldn’t just be about numbers and names on paper. His preferences will matter.
But from a purely asset-based standpoint, the Warriors are in a strong position. Compare that to teams like the Heat, who can’t send out a first-round pick until 2030, or the Knicks, whose next tradable first-rounder is a protected pick from Washington in 2026 that may not even convey.
Golden State, by contrast, has flexibility and immediacy on its side.
Around the Pacific Division:
LeBron’s Future Still a Talking Point, but Focused on Lakers-for Now
LeBron James isn’t going anywhere before the trade deadline. That much seems clear.
But what happens after this season? That’s where things get interesting.
According to reports, there’s some chatter within LeBron’s circle about the possibility of playing one more season-potentially somewhere outside of Los Angeles. Cleveland has come up as a speculative destination, as has the idea of staying in L.A. with either the Lakers or Clippers. For now, though, LeBron remains locked in on finishing the season with the Lakers, who are expected to be active at the deadline in search of upgrades.
Clippers Facing Roster Crunch with Two-Way Players
With Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s 10-day contract now expired, the Clippers are back under the 15-player threshold on standard contracts. That triggers the NBA’s “under-15” rule, which limits how often two-way players can be active when a team is carrying fewer than 15 full-time rostered players.
Right now, that means Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller can only be active for five more games combined unless the Clippers add a 15th man. One possible solution?
Convert one of them to a standard deal after the trade deadline. Miller, in particular, has made a strong case.
The third-year wing is averaging 14.3 points in 28.5 minutes per game over his last 10 outings and has brought consistent energy and production off the bench.
Dillon Brooks Nearing Suspension Territory with League-Leading Technicals
Dillon Brooks picked up another technical foul during Tuesday’s game between the Suns and Nets, bringing his season total to 14-more than anyone else in the league. He’s now just two away from an automatic one-game suspension, with Luka Doncic trailing close behind at 13.
Brooks has always played with an edge, but that edge may need to be tempered down the stretch if he wants to avoid missing time during a critical part of the season.