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If Giannis Antetokounmpo is traded before Thursday's deadline, it could be to Golden State.
The latest from ESPN's Shams Charania, who broke the news that Antetokounmpo is "ready for a new home," is that the Bucks remain engaged with teams and have even submitted counteroffers.
One of the teams mentioned as being the "most active suitors" in Charania's report? The Warriors.
A Warriors team featuring Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry sure sounds like a lot of fun, but how realistic is it?
Here's the best offer the Warriors can make for Antetokounmpo and why the Bucks say yes and no.
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The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade the Warriors need to make
Bucks receive:
- Draymond Green
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Moses Moody
- Brandin Podziemski
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2028 first-round pick
- 2032 first-round pick
Warriors receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Fanspo
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Why the Bucks say yes
The Bucks have shown interest in Kuminga in the past, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. He hasn't progressed the way the Warriors wanted — to the point where he was recently benched for 16 straight games — but he's flashed some star potential in the past, and he's only 23 years old. Milwaukee could give him an opportunity to spread his wings to see if he's capable of being the go-to option he envisions himself being.
Podziemski, 22, and Moody, 23, are also young and have experience playing with Kuminga. Podziemski has become a Steve Kerr favorite because he does all the dirty work. Moody also hasn't progressed quite as expected, but perhaps a new environment could unlock his full 3-and-D potential.
The easiest way for the Warriors to match Antetokounmpo's salary is by building a deal around Green or Jimmy Butler. There are rumblings that Butler has been told he won't be traded, hence Green's inclusion here.
Green has limitations offensively, but he's still an elite defender. Even if the Bucks don't see him being part of the team long-term, they could look to flip him to another team in need of frontcourt help. (Hello, Lakers?)
The biggest draw for the Bucks is the three first-round picks. The one in 2032 is particularly juicy because Curry will likely be out of the league at that point and Antetokounmpo will be in his late 30s. There's no knowing what the Warriors will look like then, so that pick could be incredibly valuable.
MORE: Draymond Green weighs in on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Warriors rumors
Why the Bucks say no
The Bucks know mostly what they're going to get in Podziemski and Moody, and Green doesn't have a lot of value to a rebuilding team.
Slater's report said the Bucks had interest in Kuminga in the offseason. If the Bucks have soured on Kuminga based on what's happened this season, then this becomes all about the picks.
While three first-round picks is nothing to sneeze at, the 2026 pick is highly unlikely to be in the lottery. (The Warriors are already on the playoff bubble and they'd be adding a top-three player alongside Curry. Something would have to go really wrong for them to crack the lottery this year.) The 2028 pick might not be great either if Curry's game continues to age well, Antetokounmpo can get healthy and Butler returns from his ACL injury. That trio would have championship expectations.
The Warriors can offer an additional first-round pick. The Bucks might demand that to offset some of those concerns.
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