The Golden State Warriors are moving behind the scenes and could soon formalize a robust proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpocurrently 31 years old. The California franchise’s interest grew after the Milwaukee Bucks signaled to the market that they are willing to listen to offers for their main player.
According to information from Monte Poole, from NBC Sports, the Warriors’ management is already working with the idea of putting together a heavy package to try to convince Milwaukee to release the Greek center forward. The internal assessment is that almost the entire squad can be traded.
– Sources indicate that the Warriors are willing to give up a lot to get Giannis. The franchise wants to meet the Bucks’ demands. Within this scenario, only Stephen Curry is treated as non-negotiable, something that was already expected – said Poole.
Despite this, the journalist did not detail which assets would be part of the official proposal until the NBA trade deadline. Still, names like Jonathan Kuminga – who expressed his desire to be exchanged in January – appear as central pieces in a possible agreement. In addition to him, the inclusion of Jimmy Butler, who is out for the remainder of the season, is also not ruled out behind the scenes.
Golden State’s move is a direct response to recent news involving the Bucks. After three consecutive eliminations in the first round of the playoffs and public demands made by Giannis, the Milwaukee franchise is considering starting a reconstruction process. Even so, the cost of acquiring the player must be high.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, several teams have already realized that the Bucks are more open than ever to listening to proposals, but in no rush to close a deal. Milwaukee’s request includes high-level young talent and multiple draft picks.
Charania also points out that four teams appear as favorites in the race for Giannis: Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
– Giannis made it clear to people close to the Bucks that the relationship has come to an end. He’s ready to move on, whether it’s now or in the offseason. Milwaukee has already received proposals and is listening to them all – revealed the insider.
According to the journalist, the Knicks appear to be the Greek’s preferred destination. However, the possibility of playing alongside Stephen Curry could weigh in favor of the Warriors. In the 2025/26 season, the team has 27 wins in 50 games and keeps its ambition of competing for the title alive.
What are Giannis Antetokounmpo’s chances with the Warriors?
With the relationship between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks increasingly frayed, pressure is growing for the Golden State Warriors to make a bold move by the end of the trade window, scheduled for February 5th. Behind the scenes in the league, information is circulating that the proposal presented by the Warriors was the one that pleased the Bucks the most so far – although no agreement has been reached.
The main justification for this move is obvious: forming an impact duo between Giannis and Stephen Curry. On paper, this combination would put Golden State on another level, especially after the loss of Jimmy Butler for the remainder of the season, which left the team directionless on the court.
Giannis would raise the level of the squad immediately, but that doesn’t guarantee real competitiveness against the powers of the West. Even with Curry and the Greek together, the internal assessment is that the Warriors would reach the playoffs, but would hardly fight for the title.
There is an even more worrying scenario. The Bucks made it clear that they only accept trading Giannis in exchange for promising young players and a large volume of draft picks. The Warriors even control their future picks, in addition to counting on Kuminga as a valuable asset. However, delivering all of this would seriously jeopardize the future of the franchise.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr are heading into the final years of their NBA careers. A trade for Giannis could leave Golden State in a situation similar to the Bucks’ current situation: without draft picks for many years and with a difficult financial scenario. In other words, a total bet on the short term.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that Antetokounmpo would increase his title chances in 2025/26, offering Curry the opportunity to fight for another ring. The big question is the price of this attempt.
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