As of early March, things are not going well for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry remains out with a concerning knee injury, Kristaps Porzingis has played two games in over a month, and the team looks to be going nowhere in the standings. However, some recent news on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors could turn what looks like a ‘fading dynasty‘ into one that has new life this offseason.
Recently speaking on the Run It Back show, current Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis ranked his confidence that Antetokounmpo will return to the team next season on a scale from ‘1-10‘ at a five. That means one of Antetokounmpo’s own teammates currently has no idea if the superstar plans on staying in Milwaukee after this season.
“I’m at a five, bro,” Portis said. “Like, for real, it’s up in the air, man… Since I’ve been here in 2020, the goal has always been a championship. So I don’t know what that outlook is for next year.”
Bobby expects this offseason to bring plenty of uncertainty to Milwaukee if a championship isn’t won…
But the known jokester will probably appreciate
While Antetokounmpo did commit to the Bucks at the trade deadline and previously said that he wasn’t going to ask for a trade, at this point, that doesn’t feel like a guarantee. The Warriors were one of the top teams mentioned in Antetokounmpo trade rumors over the past few months, and with Portis’ latest comments, they could circle back on the 2021 Finals MVP again this offseason.
Warriors Get Good News On Giannis Trade Rumors
The question of ‘Is Giannis getting traded?‘ led NBA headlines for months, and while Milwaukee kept him at the trade deadline, his future is by no means set in stone.
Golden State was one of the top franchises looking to make a deal for the superstar, according to Shams Charania, while they couldn’t make it work, NBA insider Brian Windhorst said it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
“The Warriors have put everything they can on the table (for an Antetokounmpo trade),” Windhorst said in the lead-up to the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
—@WindhorstESPN has the latest on Giannis and the NBA
But after Portis’ latest comments, Antetokounmpo could once again be on the table this offseason. The team’s overall poor record and roster outlook for the future could also play a part in the Greek star’s uncertain plans going forward.
“More so than just their 27-36 record, the way Milwaukee has played in the past fortnight — and for the majority of the season — has to concern Antetokounmpo as he considers his future and the desire to win a second championship,” Peter O’Keefe wrote for BlueManHoop.com.
Antetokounmpo can sign a massive extension with the Bucks on October 1, but should he indicate to the team that he doesn’t want to sign the deal, they will once again start listening to trade offers from other franchises, of which the Warriors will all but certainly be included.
Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and likely the rest of the roster barring Curry, along with the four available first-round picks Golden State can trade this summer, will be up for grabs in the package they’ll offer in an Antetokounmpo trade.
But regardless, it will come down to whether the two-time MVP wants to find a new home. Charania reported multiple times that the star was ready to move on, and Portis didn’t express confidence when asked if he thinks his teammate is coming back next season, putting the Warriors in a good spot for a summer trade pursuit.
Warriors Injury Report
At the same time the Warriors are hopeful Antetokounmpo becomes available this summer, the franchise has other issues to worry about, specifically in the form of some major injury concerns at a crucial point in the season.
Curry remains out with a knee injury, and while he is expected to be re-evaluated in the coming days, all the latest updates have only pushed back any potential return. The star has sat out since late January, and could miss more time as the team continues to struggle to climb the Western Conference standings.
While Porzingis did play 23 minutes in Golden State’s last game against the Thunder, he has been ruled out with an illness, likely the ‘mystery illness‘ plaguing his brief Warriors tenure, for their next game against the Utah Jazz. Over the weekend, the Latvian big man did say that he ‘will be healthy now,‘ but the injury report doesn’t reflect that sentiment.
“I felt like my body is coming back to what it needs to be,” Porzingis said. “One workout [before the game] and felt pretty decent…I believe I will be healthy now. This is what I really feel. Not to sell anything because I’ve been in and out, out again. But this time, I really feel this is it.”
The Warriors have also ruled out Moses Moody, Al Horford, and, obviously, Butler for the Monday game vs. Utah. Will Richard is questionable with an ankle injury, while Seth Curry is probable after missing the last three months with a back injury.
Golden State is currently 32-31 and looks bound to make another appearance in the Play-In Tournament.
Warriors Get Surprising Update On Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors