If the Golden State Warriors are serious about making one last title run in the Stephen Curry era, the window is open-but barely. And with Jimmy Butler sidelined due to an ACL injury, the urgency just got real. That’s where Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the conversation.
A potential midseason blockbuster deal has been floated that would send the two-time MVP to the Bay Area. The proposed framework? It’s massive-and it has Draymond Green at the center of it.
Here’s the outline of what such a trade could look like: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, four future first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032), plus a 2031 pick swap. That’s a haul. And it might take a third team to absorb Green’s contract to make the finances work.
Let’s break that down.
From the Warriors’ side, it’s a clear all-in move. They’d be pushing nearly every young chip to the middle of the table-Kuminga, Moody, and Podziemski are three of their most promising developmental pieces. Add in a treasure chest of draft capital, and Golden State would be betting big on a short-term title window, anchored by a Curry-Giannis duo.
Draymond Green, a franchise cornerstone and emotional leader, would be the tough pill to swallow. But with Butler unavailable and Curry still playing at a high level, the Warriors can’t afford to be sentimental. They need firepower, and Giannis brings that in spades.
For Milwaukee, this kind of return would mark a full reset. They’d be giving up their franchise player, but in return, they’d get a mix of young talent and long-term assets that could jumpstart a rebuild or be flipped in future deals.
Kuminga has flashed star potential, Podziemski has shown he belongs, and Moody has been a steady contributor. It’s not Giannis, but it’s a foundation.
Of course, any deal of this magnitude would require multiple layers of negotiation and likely some cap gymnastics. That’s where the third team comes in-someone willing to take on Green’s deal to make the financials work for all sides.
But for the Warriors, the math is simple: Curry isn’t getting younger, and without Butler, the team lacks a second superstar. If they want to chase another ring before the curtain falls on this era, acquiring Giannis isn’t just a bold move-it might be a necessary one.
The trade deadline is Feb. 5. If Golden State wants to make noise in the playoffs, the clock is ticking-and the stakes have never been higher.