The Golden State Warriors took a major hit when it was confirmed that Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Monday, stripping the team of one of its top scoring options and placing even more responsibility on Stephen Curry. With the All-Star break nearing and the trade market expected to heat up, the Warriors could look for a bold solution to stabilize their offense. Kendrick Perkins floated one such idea, suggesting the Warriors pursue Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as a potential addition next to Curry, a move he believes could immediately reshape the team’s fortunes.
“It’s time”
Big Perk says it’s time for Steph to pick up the phone and make that call to Giannis!
( @KendrickPerkins / @Rjeff24 ) pic.twitter.com/D6jHh6eV2S
— Road Trippin’ Show (@RoadTrippinShow) January 20, 2026
“It’s time. It’s the perfect timing,” claimed Big Perk on the Road Trippin pod. “If I’m Steph right now, I’m getting my light-skinned a *, green eyes, and I’m picking up the f***ing phone. And you know who I’m calling? I’m calling Giannis. And saying, ‘Hey man, what are you winning on? Dammit, I need you and you need me. Let’s make it happen right now.’” Perkins remarked during his appearance on the Road Trippin’ Show.
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo has surfaced in Warriors rumors for years, and a potential pairing with the 37-year-old Curry at this stage of their careers could serve both sides well, combining elite interior dominance with one of the league’s most dangerous perimeter threats.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fit with Stephen Curry and the Warriors
As bold as Kendrick Perkins’ ideas can be, this one carries some weight. A move like that would immediately push Golden State back into the Western Conference conversation and restore its status as a legitimate threat.
Adding that level of star power would also allow the Warriors to go toe to toe with the conference’s top contenders, including the Spurs and the Thunder. When framed that way, the suggestion does not sound nearly as far-fetched.
“And I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. No one is going to be mad at Antetokounmpo if he wants out of Milwaukee. No one should have a damn thing to say about it.” Perkins continued.
There is no debate about what Giannis Antetokounmpo has already done in Milwaukee. He delivered the franchise a championship and secured his place among the greatest players in Bucks history. Since then, however, the organization has struggled to surround him with reliable help.
At this point, the conversation extends beyond Giannis and centers on urgency. The Warriors can no longer afford to wait. Stephen Curry’s championship window continues to narrow, injuries keep mounting, and incremental moves are unlikely to change their trajectory. If a legitimate opportunity to make a franchise-altering deal exists, Golden State has to examine it seriously. Choosing not to act may end up being the biggest gamble of all.
