One of the biggest offseason storylines in the NBA has been the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the Golden State Warriors one of 29 rival teams monitoring the two-time MVP’s future in Milwaukee.
Most recently, Antetokounmpo again made headlines when he stated, “if there is a better situation for me to win the Larry O’Brien I have to take that better situation.” The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and a player option for the 2025-26 season.
The Golden State Warriors would be on a shortlist of teams were Giannis Antetokounmpo wish to depart the Milwaukee Bucks.
Discussing Antetokounmpo’s future with Zach Lowe on a recent episode of ‘The Lowe Post’, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne listed the Warriors as one of four potential destinations alongside the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
“I would say the Warriors because of…obviously there’s a relationship with him and Steph Curry”, Shelburne said. “There’s a synergy there but I don’t know how they would get that done, or how those timelines match up.”
The idea of Antetokounmpo and Curry playing together is a tantalizing prospect for Warrior fans, even if the latter is 35-years-old and entering his 15th season in the NBA.
However, Antetokounmpo may become available sooner than many expected, with Lowe forecasting that the Bucks may look to trade their superstar next offseason if they’re unable to make it out of the Eastern Conference in 2024.
The pressure on the 2021 NBA champions is stemming from a disastrous first-round playoff exit against the Miami Heat last season. Their core players beside Antetokounmpo are all well into their thirties, although the franchise did double-down on their current roster by re-signing Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to generous deals in free agency.
Golden State may have the young assets and future draft capital to get involved in an Antetokounmpo trade scenario, but they’d almost assuredly be outbid and would need the ‘Greek Freak’ to demand a trade specifically to The Bay for something to ever eventuate.