Warriors make Giannis Antetokounmpo trade decision as Bucks star prepares to move on

Jeremy Beren

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Warriors make Giannis Antetokounmpo trade decision as Bucks star prepares to move on image

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Giannis Antetokounmpo wants out of Milwaukee.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Antetokounmpo "is ready for a new home" and is waiting to see whether the Bucks trade him before the NBA's Feb. 5 trade deadline. The news will spark a bidding war over Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who has long been one of the most imposing forwards in world basketball.

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One team that will surely be interested in acquiring Antetokounmpo is the Golden State Warriors. For years, the Warriors' interest in Antetokounmpo has been more speculative than reality-based.

But Chris Mannix reported Tuesday that the Warriors will be "aggressive" in pursuing Antetokounmpo -- and that story broke before Charania revealed to the world that the 10-time All-Star wants to leave the Bucks.

Though the Warriors are over the salary cap, Golden State never has had an issue attracting star talent to play with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Warriors' front office, first under Bob Myers and now under Mike Dunleavy, knows that the team's championship window is closing -- and fast.

Acquiring Antetokounmpo could keep Golden State's window cracked open for a couple more years. His trade desire going public is potentially a big help for the Warriors, who have limited assets already and just got additional leverage in possible trade talks.

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