Many factors will go into any trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but among realistic suitors, the Warriors could have the cleanest path to putting together a compelling trade package, writes ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Marks looks at 11 teams who could potentially make a move for the Bucks’ star. Among those 11, he has the Warriors and Pistons tied for the lowest degree of difficulty in terms of making an enticing offer due to the two teams’ combination of young players, salary-matching contracts, and available draft picks.
He notes that Jimmy Butler‘s two-year, $111MM contract would be required in any deal for Antetokounmpo, and that the Warriors could then include Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, four first-round picks (including one in this year’s loaded draft) and up to three pick swaps. Such a deal would require taking back either Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma, whom the Bucks would likely be interested in moving off.
While Antetokounmpo’s preference will likely come into play in any deal, the number of picks the Warriors can offer should appeal to the Bucks. By comparison the Heat can only offer two first-rounders starting in 2030, while the Knicks can’t trade a first-round selection until the offseason outside of a protected Wizards 2026 pick that is unlikely to convey.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- LeBron James is almost certain to stay with the Lakers through this trade deadline, but some in his circle have speculated he could play another season in the NBA somewhere outside of Los Angeles, reports Shams Charania for ESPN (YouTube video link). “If he does actually play one more season, there is definitely chatter,” Sharania said. “Where could that be? Could that be in Cleveland? Where could that be? Could it be back in L.A.?” Charania emphasized that James’ focus at present is playing out the year with the Lakers, who will be active trying to improve the team at the trade deadline.
- With Patrick Baldwin Jr.‘s 10-day deal having expired, the under-15 clock is back on for the Clippers, notes Spotrac’s Keith Smith (via Twitter). This rule prevents a team from having its two-way players active for more than 90 combined games while carrying fewer than 15 players on its standard roster. Unless the team re-adds a 15th man, Los Angeles has just five more games in which both Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller can be active. Converting one of the two of them to a standard contract after the trade deadline could solve the issue, with Miller looking the more likely candidate for a promotion. The third-year wing has averaged 14.3 points in 28.5 minutes per game over his last 10 games.
- A technical foul that Dillon Brooks received in the second quarter of Tuesday’s game between the Suns and Nets, the NBA announced (Twitter link). This puts Brooks at a league-leading 14 technicals for the season, one ahead of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, which means he’s still two techs away from a one-game suspension.
Well, if the Warriors want to give up the entire franchise, then they could acquire the Greek freak.
The question is, would that be a smart move? Would that handicap the franchise for five years or would it actually be the makings of a championship contender for five years?
Feels like regardless the next five years are moot anyways. Why not take a chance?
Although they’d probably need to attach that 2032 pick lol
i hope they don’t. 1 injury and they are a horrible team.
That’s 2026 after Jimmy. Having said that. Warriors don’t have a package for Giannis.
They have a package but the bucks will want more and get more. Warriors will be a team in teh package but not get Giannis.
It’s a really tough situation because the warriors have 2 roads at this point, either ride out Steph on bad teams like what happened with Kobe or try to give Steph a chance at one more ring
I personally think the warriors as an organization think they owe it to Steph to put a competitive team around him
The smartest move honestly would be to start the rebuild process, which obviously won’t happen. So the next question is, if you don’t acquire Giannis can you get another difference maker within the next year to make a run with Butler returning? Probably the better play but there’s no guarantee that such a needle mover becomes available and is a good roster fit, you have the matching contracts required, the depth would likely take a hit regardless, etc.
Long story short, I can understand acquiring the big gun now and hoping you figure out the rest later when the alternative isn’t a whole lot better. Just the reality of an aging middling team attempting to force a move for elite talent. Either way it’s not likely to end as well as you’d want, but if you’re trying to win another championship sometimes the boom bust approach is the best option.
Its either they go all in on trying to win with Steph and another star (No, Butler aint a star and isnt cutting it, the Dubs just needed to do a deal last year to save face since KD didnt want to go back) eventually transitioning to whoever star they trade for or just continue being mid at best like since the 2022 chip.
If they want to win a finals they can’t just have jimmy’s max salary on the bench
Ja Morant or maybe even Lamelo Ball to the warriors would be a fallback option
Lmao, Giannis to warriors will get hits. Very unrealistic. Does ESPN do mandatory drugs and alcohol testing on employees. Might be time to start. Random drug and alcohol testing couldn’t hurt either.
This will be hilarious.
So you plug in the Greek freak with old curry, old Graymond, old Horford, plus scrubs like Moody Hield Richard Santos.
I see that scenario as a contender for this year then maybe next year but definitely not five years.
I would be against giving up pics 5 years into the future like that just for two years of championship contention.
These pic swaps are hardly all in either. Nothing guaranteed with that.
Meanwhile…..Spurs. Vessel, Harper, Castle, insert required firsts.
Harper, Castle, Sochan, Johnson, insert picks for Giannis and Thannasis.
Fox, Vessel, Barnes, Giannis and Wemby. GOOD LORD.
I’m not even sure they contend this year with that team. The top teams in the west, OKC, DEN, HOU, and SAS are talented and deep.
But but but Davey said Giannis and Steph = Championship /s
Personally, I’d rather trade Kuminga and the scrubs plus maybe a first round pick or two for a stud or two that would also contend for the next two years.
Then year three warriors still have their future pics and the rebuild begins. Their future is not mortgaged in a massive way.
Definitely the smarter long-term approach, but if the front office is adamant about giving Curry the best possible chance to win in the short-term not sure that’s going to be enough of a sell, at least in terms of near-term upside. If they’re content with the team capping out at pretty good while mostly preserving the future it’s a different story.
Possible trade frameworks, all include GSW sending at least 3 FRP, along with up to 3 pick swaps:
1. Jimmy + Kuminga for Giannis + Portis + Thanasis
2. Kuminga + Draymond + Buddy for Giannis + Thanasis
3. Jimmy + Moody for Giannis + Thanasis
4. This is my favorite one I got to make work on Spotrac trade machine, so it works on all sides on the money side..
GSW gets: Giannis, Thanasis, Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, Zach Edey
GSW gives up: Jimmy, Kuminga, Draymond, Moody, Buddy, Podziemski
MIL gets: Draymond, Kuminga, Moody, Hield
MIL gives up: Giannis, Thanasis, Rollins
NOP gets: Ja Morant, Ryan Rollins, GG Jackson
NOP gives up: Troy Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi
MEM gets: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski
MEM gives up: Ja Morant, GG Jackson, Zach Edey
Let the games begin…
MEM would just trade with NOP if that was the case. They’d be better off with Murphy, Jones, & Missi than Butler & Podz.
MEM would need a C with some experience imo then. So they could add DAL into the trade for Gafford, and MEM could send Clarke and a 1st (not 2026).
Then MEM either rolls with Pippen & Spencer at PG until the draft, they trade for a one year band aid (Russ), or someone to try out before next year (Sexton or White).
Russ/Sexton/White/Pippen
Murphy
Coward
JJJ
Gafford
Pippen/Spencer
Wells
Jones
Aldama
Missi
Williams
Jerome
KCP
Konchar
Landale
MEM would be getting picks and also Jimmy’s cap space – would be huge for them if they went after Jokic in free agency.
Not sure what picks MEM would be getting unless it is from some other team in your trade proposal. GSW would be giving their 3 FRPs and at least 1 swap to MIL. If it is only two picks swaps, I’d still rather have the guys for NOP. They’re young, affordable, and known commodities (for the most part besides Missi).
If MEM keeps the same group they’re going to free up $40M with KCP, Clarke, and Konchar departures. However, that’s irrelevant to me because I don’t see Joker going anywhere, and even if he does it wouldn’t be MEM.
* Trey Murphy III, my bad
Disagree that it has to include Jimmy. It could be JK, Draymond, and Hield for Giannis, his bro, and Taurean Prince. The money is close enough that JK’s kicker shouldn’t disqualify it. With Giannis out for 6 weeks and Prince out for the season, embrace the tan. . . um, I mean get the young guys lots of run and Steph lots of rest, and study the draft class. Then Prince fills in next year until Butler gets back. But I doubt they are willing to give up the picks it would take in the post-Curry years, so it’s probably moot.
Dubs would love that trade though not sure if the Bucks would see value…
Must include Jimmy or you would have 3 players using up almost the entire payroll.
Good point. With 3 players over $54M, they would be over the cap with just that.
Dray, Giannis, Portis and a Horford is a different type of set than what Kerr usually goes with. The Dubs would still be missing about PG, though Steph could continue to run much of the offense…
Curry, 4 FRP, Kuminga for Giannis. Bucks prob wouldn’t want an injury in waiting like Curry and lazy Kuminga but the sure to be lotto picks would be nice.
Trade curry away to get Giannis? I don’t see the sense in that. We’d be the Milwaukee Bucks West lol.
I think you bring in Giannis to enhance Curry‘s game. Giannis drive and kick would probably be good for at least 15 a game.