It isn’t far-fetched to suggest the Golden State Warriors don’t want their season to end on a sour note.
As long as Stephen Curry’s a part of their organization, they should feel motivated to contend for a championship. Although Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury will make it difficult for the Dubs to go the distance this year, replacing the six-time All-Star with disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the most logical solution.
Antetokounmpo’s passionate Bucks rant following the franchise’s 122-102 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night should encourage Curry and the Warriors as the Feb. 5 trade deadline looms.
“We’re not playing hard,” Antetokounmpo said. “We aren’t doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry’s not there."
"Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys are trying to do it on their own.”
“At times, I feel like when we’re down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it’s not going to work.”
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Antetokounmpo is unhappy in Milwaukee.
Although the NBA champion forward has stated he would never request a trade from the Bucks, his growing frustration with the franchise’s direction could cause him to change his stance and search for greener pastures elsewhere.
If that becomes a reality, the Warriors could position themselves to win the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes by creating an alluring trade package for the future Hall of Famer (any Warriors trade would likely have to include Jonathan Kuminga).
A Curry and Antetokounmpo duo would give the Warriors life moving forward and likely instill fear into the rest of the league. Keep an eye out for a potential blockbuster Antetokounmpo-Warriors trade.
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