The NBA never runs short of off-court drama, even in the quietest parts of the calendar. With less than a week before the regular season tips off, that remains true as Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo once again finds himself in the spotlight.
During the offseason, several teams were rumored to be pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the Golden State Warriors emerging as one of the top potential destinations. Talk of a possible move to the Bay Area gained momentum after Antetokounmpo mentioned San Francisco.
While early reports claimed the Warriors werenโt seriously exploring a trade because of limited assets, ESPNโs Anthony Slater later suggested on โThe Hoop Collectiveโ podcast that the organization might have been keeping its real level of interest under wraps.
โThey poured cold water on the idea that they were some hot Giannis destination. But I will also say that they were kind of pouring cold water on the Jimmy Butler idea around this time last year,โ Slater remarked.
Jimmy Butlerโs trade-deadline move last season caught nearly everyone off guard. With little to no chatter beforehand, the deal came out of nowhere. According to Slater, Giannis Antetokounmpoโs situation could unfold in a similar fashion, with major talks happening quietly behind the scenes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Warriors?
The analyst noted, however, that pursuing a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a complicated task at this point, especially if Milwaukee focuses on securing future draft capital. Given that Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are both in the later years of their playing careers, Golden State may choose to preserve its remaining draft assets.
โI think they could get in the mix, but my vibe from them is thereโs not some strong belief or plan that this is gonna happen. Right now, internally, itโs about this Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford, aged foursome trying to make one or two last competitive runs here.โ Slater continued.
Multiple trade scenarios have been proposed to make Giannis Antetokounmpoโs potential move to Golden State possible. While a direct swap would likely deplete the Warriorsโ roster because of his hefty contract and the required draft picks, a three-team trade seems to be the more practical route.
By re-signing Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors have solidified his trade value and made him an attractive piece in potential negotiations. With the right combination of assets and additional draft picks from a third team, Golden State could realistically position itself to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The New York Knicks have been viewed as the leading candidate to land the nine-time All-Star, following reports of offseason trade discussions with the Bucks. Even so, a move to New York seems improbable at this point in time.
