Giannis Antetokounmpo was among the franchise-elevating contributors the Golden State Warriors considered trading for last season.
While Andrew Wiggins wasn’t horrible as the Dubs' No. 2 scoring option, his play alongside Stephen Curry wasn’t getting the job done, causing a blockbuster trade involving Wiggins to become inevitable.
However, Antetokounmpo wasn’t part of the Feb. 5 deal the Dubs completed, as the organization elected to swap Wiggins for Jimmy Butler.
Fast forward to December, and Golden State is in a similar position.
The seven-time NBA champions haven’t proven that Curry and Butler are enough to catapult them to championship contention, likely leading to another groundbreaking trade.
The Warriors’ chances of acquiring Antetokounmpo were relatively low entering the year, as the 30-year-old superstar hadn’t yet expressed legitimate interest in exploring greener pastures elsewhere.
Due to a stunning report centered around the 30-year-old superstar on Wednesday, though, things have taken an unexpected turn.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis are having conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future -- and discussing whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
“A resolution to these talks is expected in the coming weeks, sources said, which will result in shaping if Antetokounmpo is available ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.”
“Antetokounmpo came into the season having bought into the championship roster vision of general manager Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers."
"Before the season started, sources said Antetokounmpo would examine the Bucks' first 25 or so games this season and make decisions on his long-term future, depending on whether the team showed signs of competing in the Eastern Conference.”
The Warriors, like the Bucks, haven’t gotten off to the strongest start to the 2025-26 season.
The Dubs sit at 11-11 through the first 22 games of the year and are severely flawed, which isn’t exactly a great recipe to pry Antetokounmpo away from the 9-13 Bucks.
However, the 30-year-old NBA champion forward has never played with anyone remotely close to as talented as Curry, potentially causing the appeal of competing alongside a future Hall of Fame point guard to override the Dubs’ current ceiling.
Butler would almost certainly be sacrificed in a mind-blowing trade for Antetokounmpo, which wouldn't be the end of the world.
Butler’s passiveness, especially when Curry is out, can be frustrating to witness at times. Antetokounmpo doesn’t have the problem and never will, making a blockbuster swap easier to navigate.
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