After Jimmy Butler tore his ACL on Monday night, the brutal reality of the Golden State Warriors‘ dynastic run coming to an end became clearer than ever.
The Warriors don’t have a lot of time left with Stephen Curry, its roster as a whole isn’t as competitive as they would have hoped, Butler is now out for at least the rest of the year, and Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors continue to cast a dark shadow over the franchise.
However, one name could change all of that and give their beloved Curry at least one more shot at winning a championship. That name is Giannis Antetokounmpo, and, according to Brian Windhorst, as the hours go on, his future with the Milwaukee Bucks is growing more and more uncertain.
—@WindhorstESPN on the latest with Giannis Antetokounmpo
At the same time, Golden State has been one of the few teams consistently linked to Antetokounmpo over this trade cycle. It was reported by insider Brett Siegel that he is likely the only name the Warriors would move mountains (in a trade sense) for, and the latest update on the Greek Freak signals that the idea of him being traded is quickly becoming more of a possibility.
Latest Giannis Update Is Good News For Golden State
The idea of Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee isn’t a new one, as it has reported multiple times over the past eight months by Shams Charania that the 2021 Finals MVP has been contemplating moving teams in hopes of winning another title.
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Trade rumors surrounding the star quickly (and briefly) came crashing down when he told Sam Amick of The Athletic that he would never ask for a trade. However, based on a new report by Charania, as well as other league insiders, the relationship between the team and player appears to be coming to an end very quickly.
“The frustration that Giannis Antetokounmpo has is at an all-time high,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “He’s frustrated with the losing. He’s frustrated with the situation, and I will say this, I’ve spoken to about a dozen sources on-and-off for weeks now, and the tension that’s in the air within that organization, in that locker room, it’s at an all-time high.”
The idea of the Warriors trading for Antetokounmpo would only ever come to fruition if the Bucks are ready to move away from the superstar. While neither appears ready to say that publicly, all signs point to this being the end for perhaps the greatest player in the team’s history.
“Recently, the Bucks and Giannis conversations have intensified…. He’s frustrated with the losing, he’s frustrated with the situation….. The tension in air within that locker room is at an all time
“Everything about Giannis’ brand has been loyalty,” Charania added. “But what I’ve been hearing over and over for months now is that the writing is on the wall for Giannis and the Bucks.”
Golden State could offer Butler in a package, but general manager Mike Dunleavy said he doesn’t see them moving the now-injured star. Kuminga and a combination of their other rotational players, and as many picks as legally allowed, could get the job done, especially if Antetokounmpo picks the Warriors as his preferred destination.
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors
If Antetokounmpo is too rich for the team’s blood, though nobody should be considering the moves they’ve made in the past to put the best possible roster around Curry, there is someone else who could be in the mix.
That would be Andrew Wiggins, who won a title with the Warriors in 2022, but was traded to the Miami Heat last deadline as the highlight of the package that saw the team add Butler. Yes, Golden State has been linked to several wing players over the past few weeks, and while it might be a bit of an awkward reunion, Wiggins fits what they need, especially with Butler now out.
“One avenue which will certainly be explored is the prospect of a Kuminga-for-Wiggins swap,” NBA insider Marc Stein noted.
Golden State would likely have to include another asset to match the contracts, but if Wiggins can come in and elevate the floor of the team, it should be a no-brainer for the front office.
What the future holds for Kuminga is uncertain, but all indications point to the Warriors making a move before the deadline and finally ending what has been one of the messiest player-team sagas in recent memory.
Golden State will likely try to find the best offer they can get for Kuminga, and at this point, anyone who can play more than 20 minutes per game and fit decently well alongside Curry would be an improvement.
Warriors’ Giannis Trade Rumors Intensify After New Report On Bucks Future