The Golden State Warriors are the reported frontrunners to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade rumors, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
While the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves remain the other major suitors for the superstar, a few other teams remain in the hunt, but these four, highlighted by the Warriors, should be the ones to keep an eye on over the next week before the February 5th NBA trade deadline.
But the question everyone wants to know is, what would Golden State have to give up to land Antetokounmpo in a deal?
A trade would have to include Jimmy Butler‘s contract, as well as all the possible assets the Warriors could offer, whether that be other players and/or draft picks.
Warriors Trade Idea Lands Giannis Antetokounmpo
Writing for The Athletic, Eric Nehm discussed what a possible trade package the Warriors could offer the Milwaukee Bucks for the two-time MVP would look like.
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandon Podziemski; Golden State’s 2028 first-round pick; Golden State’s 2030 first-round pick (if 1 through 20); Golden State’s 2032 first-round pick; rights to swap Golden State’s 2031 pick
Golden State Warriors receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma
“Kuminga (23 years old), Moody (23) and Podziemski (22) are the Warriors’ three most intriguing young players,” Nehm wrote on this Warriors trade idea. “The Warriors have nearly full control of their first-round picks for the next seven years, but Horst will have to gauge which of those picks he wants the most.”
If a deal is done between the two teams, Milwaukee would likely want draft picks that come down the road, once franchise star Stephen Curry is retired, and any potential title window would be thrown out the window.
The consensus is that Golden State is leading the charge for Antetokounmpo. However, it would require general manager Mike Dunleavy go back on his word, saying the team wouldn’t trade Butler. The injured star’s contract matches up perfectly with the Greek Freak, and while the Warriors would have to add in a ton of other assets, Butler would need to be included if the Bay Area franchise wants any chance at landing the hottest trade commodity in recent NBA memory.
Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors
The thought of the Warriors trading Kuminga before the deadline was previously thought to be a guarantee. But that is no longer the case, as with Butler’s torn ACL, he was slotted back into the lineup to try to help salvage what already appears to be a failed season for Golden State.
However, after just 30 minutes of playing time across two different games, Kuminga suffered an injury of his own and hasn’t played in a week. The team previously announced that they will reevaluate his status, but an update or timeline on a return has yet to be made clear. Officially, he is out with a bone bruise in his left knee, and for now, no status on when he’ll get back on the court.
Additionally, the news that Antetokounmpo is now available in trade rumors has seemingly halted any potential Kuminga trades in their tracks. As the Warriors are the top favorites to land the 2021 Finals MVP, waiting to see if they can land Antetokounmpo, in a deal that would happen before the trade deadline, is all the franchise is focused on right now.
Talks between Golden State and a few other teams on their previous top trade targets have seemingly ended, whether that be with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, or any other group.
The Lakers do hold interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors have made it clear LA has nothing of value to them.
There is no offer.
At the same time the Warriors seemed so desperate to move Kuminga, they haven’t been satisfied with any of the offers they received. Until the Antetokounmpo domino falls, he looks like he’ll stay in Golden State for the remainder of the year, despite his tumultuous saga with the team and his public demand for a trade.
Warriors’ All-In Trade Package For Giannis Antetokounmpo Revealed