The Golden State Warriors were in the hunt to make a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo at the February 5th deadline, but after the Milwaukee Bucks signaled that they were keeping the superstar, the Bay Area franchise chose instead to make a deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
While many initially thought the Warriors’ trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Porzingis put a close on any Antetokounmpo trade hopes, that is not the case.
According to NBA insider Bobby Marks of ESPN, Golden State is set to have four first-round picks available this summer to trade, along with at least $18 million in open cap space for a big-time move over the offseason.
“The Warriors [have] four first-round picks and the right to swap picks in the next seven years. (They owe Dallas their 2030 first-rounder, but only if it falls outside of the top-20.),” he wrote. “The Warriors do have $18 million in salary of former first-round picks Moses Moody and Podziemski. Porzingis could also be flipped in a sign-and-trade if he approves.”
Warriors Offseason Trade Targets, Potential Giannis Move
The Warriors aren’t at a strong point in the franchise’s history, compared to the other years of the Stephen Curry era, but that doesn’t mean they are done competing for titles with the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history.
Speaking after the trade deadline, general manager Mike Dunleavy discussed how, despite adding Porzingis, the team didn’t give up a whole lot and is in a good position to make a big move over the offseason.
“We’ve got the goods to make deals,” he said. “I think the only way we wouldn’t be in the mix is if we gave out assets, young players, all the things you need to get a great player. We still have all that. I think that’s one of the reasons the [Kristaps Porzingis] trade is really good for us, similar to Jimmy [Butler III] last year. We don’t feel like we gave up a ton. We still have the kind of firepower to move forward and do more deals.”
The ACL injury that has sidelined Butler for the rest of the season, and likely further into next year, isn’t a good sign for the Warriors in terms of being able to move assets for another star player like Antetokounmpo. Yet still, with the picks they have to trade and potential salary cap space, there are a number of their trade targets or free agents they could move in on over the summer.
However, whether it be a deal for Antetokounmpo or anyone else, there is the issue of the tradeable contracts available for them to move. While most of their money is tied to either Curry, Butler, or Draymond Green, the Warriors don’t have a lot of mid-level players that can be used as trade assets to send back to another team, like the Bucks.
“What could hinder the Warriors in any trade talks are the contracts available to use in deals,” Marks added. “While Golden State is well below the apron to absorb salary, its three highest-paid players are either untouchable (Curry), injured (Butler) or potentially a free agent — Green has a $27.7 million player option for 2026-27.”
Still, Golden State is predicted to be busy over the offseason in hopes of putting talent around Curry to have the chance at winning one more championship to cap off the dynasty.
Stephen Curry Injury Update
While the Warriors are expected to be in trade talks over the summer, as it relates to now and the current NBA season, the injury to Curry is a leading storyline for the team.
The 37-year-old has now been out for a few weeks and didn’t play in the annual All-Star game due to a knee injury.
Steve Kerr had previously said that the team opted out of having Curry practice ahead of their game against the Boston Celtics, stating that “We’ve got to be certain. He’s got to be certain,” about the superstar being healthy enough to return.
Curry was eventually ruled out for Golden State’s game against Boston, and most recently, Kerr said that the team is discussing the idea of giving him another MRI to understand the full extent of the injury.
Curry hasn’t played since late January, and as the Warriors prepare for their first game after the All-Star Break, the star has no direct timeline for a return.
Warriors Get Notable Update On Giannis Trade Pursuit Amid Curry Injury News