Multiple insiders reported Thursday that the Golden State Warriors have made a “substantial” offer to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo and are willing to surrender all their future draft capital in a deal for the two-time MVP before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who previously warned his front office against emptying their draft cupboard, has reacted to reports of the Giannis trade offer.
“The beauty of being a coach is you don’t have to worry about any of that stuff,” Kerr told “Willard & Dibs” of the reported Giannis trade offer. “…My job is to coach the team, and I’m focused on that. It’s Mike [Dunleavy], Joe [Lacob] and the whole group’s job to make decisions.”
“I have great faith in what they do and their decision-making,” Kerr added. “Whatever it is, I know they’re not going to jeopardize the franchise’s long-term future unless something really makes sense to them. And that’s what they have to access and decide.”
Warriors Trade Package Revealed
Earlier this month, Kerr strongly advised the Warriors against using up all their future draft assets in a trade, citing examples of franchises such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers, who used up a lot of their assets rather unsuccessfully.
“You can really paint yourself into a corner if you’re risky and irresponsible,” Kerr said of Golden State’s ambitious plans to land Stephen Curry a new co-star.
It would appear Kerr’s stance has softened since the Warriors lost Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending ACL tear, an injury that has heightened the franchise’s need to make roster upgrades. According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors have offered the kitchen sink to the Bucks for a Giannis trade, including all their future draft assets.
Per NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, the Warriors have emerged as “the frontrunners” to pull off a Giannis trade by next Thursday since they can offer the best picks package to the Bucks — at least among the most aggressive suitors for the two-time MVP.
Warriors – Giannis Fit Questioned
The idea of Curry and Antetokounmpo joining forces is a fascinating one, even for non-Warriors fans. However, DeMarcus Cousins believes the “Greek Freak” may struggle to thrive in a Warriors system that relies on misdirections and pindown screens rather than traditional pick-and-roll and ISO stuff that Antetokounmpo is accustomed to.
“You think about the fit next to Draymond [Green] and how that works. You have to figure out that dynamic,” Cousins told FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back” on Thursday.
“And then you also have to consider Steve Kerr — is he even the right guy to coach a talent like Giannis?” Cousins pondered. “This isn’t a guy who has shown, throughout his history, to really tweak his system. You have to really come in ad fit the system.”
“I don’t necessarily know if Giannis is the perfect fit for that system,” added Cousins, who played for Steve Kerr and the Warriors during the 2018-19 season.
The New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat are reportedly the three other most aggressive suitors for Antetokounmpo.
Steve Kerr Reacts to Warriors Making ‘Substantial’ Giannis Trade Offer