The Milwaukee Bucks improved their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline by trading Cam Payne and a second round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for veteran guard Patrick Beverley. Since that trade, Milwaukee is 2-1 with the lone loss being Tuesday’s embarrassment at home to the Miami Heat on the second night of a back-to-back.
The trade, of course, came in response to the Bucks’ deficiencies on defense this season. Beverley has named All NBA Second Team Defense twice and All NBA First Team Defense once. He has also finished in the top-10 of Defensive Player of the Year voting three times.
Of course, the Bucks were not the only team looking to improve their roster ahead of the deadline. Numerous contenders made league-altering trades in an effort to get an edge on their competition this season.
However, some of the most interesting stories from the NBA trade deadline are those that never come to fruition. In the days that have followed the deadline, reports have surfaced that the Golden State Warriors tried to coordinate trades for any one of a handful of NBA superstars, including Bucks’ All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Golden State Warriors Still Dream of Acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks
According to a recent report in The Athletic, the Warriors were heavily pursuing Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in an effort to pair him with Steph Curry. Of course, that trade did not happen and all indications are that the two sides were nowhere close to reaching an agreement.
However, Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and Jovan Buha, who wrote the report, stated:
“That doesn’t mean it won’t be revisited in the summer. The Warriors’ lead decision-makers still believe Curry’s longevity gives them a couple more seasons of possible contention, if the roster around him is up to it. If there’s a path to LeBron, Giannis Antetokounmpo (their dream scenario), impending free agent Paul George or a reunion with Kevin Durant, they will explore it.”
It is interesting to note that the three NBA insiders state that acquiring Giannis from the Bucks is still the Warriors’ dream scenario. As everyone knows, the two-time MVP signed yet another supermax extension with Milwaukee earlier this year.
Giannis’ latest contract has him tied to Milwaukee until at least the 2026-27 NBA season. He has a player option for 2027-28 worth nearly $63 million.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants to Stay with the Milwaukee Bucks for His Entire Career
Every year, the national media tries to stir up stories indicating that Giannis is looking for a way out of Milwaukee. This past year, comments Giannis made about needing to be on the same page as the organization in regards to winning a Championship being the most important goal was vital to keeping his desire to stay with the Bucks alive.
Some twisted those words to make it sound like Giannis was going to leave once he hit free agency. Those narratives, however, were set aflame when the Greek Freak signed his extension this summer. After signing said extension, Giannis set the record straight:
“I think that’s why God blesses me and puts me in a position to wake up every single day to do what I love. Now at the end of the day, I’m not going to be given a championship, but I have the opportunity. Some people don’t even have the opportunity to wake up (to) think about a championship, or think about going out there and competing on an NBA game.
“It’s okay that people don’t believe me. A lot of people did not believe me growing up. That’s not gonna change. … The non-believers push me to the point (where) I am today.
“But they’re gonna be there. I’m gonna keep doing what I do. Keep on being me. Keep on trying to represent the city of Milwaukee the best way possible for as long as they want me here.
I’m here. I want to be here. I want to win another one. And I hope I win another one.”
In other words, the Warriors can keep on dreaming.
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