The New York Knicks reportedly had an “exclusive negotiating window” with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, but that doesn’t mean the Golden State Warriors are no longer a suitor for the two-time NBA MVP.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Warriors are up there with the Knicks among the title contenders with the ability to pry Antetokounmpo.
“When you talk of teams that would pounce on a Giannis situation, the Golden State Warriors are at the top of the list for me,” he told “NBA Today” on October 7.
The Warriors can build a potential package around Jonathan Kuminga, who returned to the franchise on a two-year, $46.8 million contract as a restricted free agent.
Warriors to Go Big-Game Hunting
“One of the reasons why they fought so hard for that Jonathan Kuminga contract was so they could go big-game hunting,” Windhorst said. “Not necessarily just for Giannis, but that’s what they want to do as an organization.
“If it’s not New York, Golden State is at top of the list,” Windhorst continued. “I know the Texas teams [Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs] can make strong offers as well.”
To Windhorst’s point, the Spurs, Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder are the three teams with the best assets — including draft capital and young stars — to get a deal done. However, Antetokounmpo, who can become a free agent in 2027, will likely have a big say in his next landing spot, giving the Warriors an opening, per Windhorst.
Warriors Have Draft Assets
Unlike the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, the Warriors have multiple draft assets, including three tradeable first-round picks, to go with young players like Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski.
Kuminga will become trade-eligible on Jan. 15, giving the Warriors ample time to make a big move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fisher, the Warriors will shop Kuminga when they’re eligible to next year.
“The mounting expectation, as a result, is that the Warriors will make Kuminga available in the trade market once he becomes eligible to be dealt on Jan. 15 to see what sort of return is out there for the 22-year-old before the Feb. 5 trade deadline,” Fisher wrote on October 5.
“I’m told that the relationship across this bargaining table, after such long-running talks, is certainly strained. How Kuminga fits with the (Jimmy) Butler Era Warriors will thus be one of the key storylines to track through the season’s first few months.”
“If Kuminga struggles to establish a consistent role under Warriors coach Steve Kerr, as he has in the past, his name is destined to be at the forefront of Trade Season speculation.”
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