Proposed Warriors trade swaps $175.6 million trio for 31-year-old two-time MVP

The 2025-26 trade season is coming to an end, but there’s time for organizations to leave their mark before time expires (the deadline is Thursday). 

The Golden State Warriors are undoubtedly receiving more attention than the rest, as many are eager to see if the seven-time NBA champions will be bold enough to pair Stephen Curry with an awe-inspiring superstar.

In a blockbuster trade proposed by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the Warriors would succeed in doing so by swapping an enticing trio for a 31-year-old two-time MVP.

“Golden State, which can trade up to four of its own first-round picks and has a reasonable matching salary in the injured (Jimmy) Butler, has the cleanest path to a two-team trade that gives Milwaukee young talent, picks, and cap flexibility,” Pelton wrote Monday.

“Butler will have an expiring contract next season and could return value at the 2027 deadline if he's back from an ACL tear that has him out for the remainder of this season. In this construction, the Warriors also give up two swaps and (Brandin) Podziemski to fulfill (Jonathan) Kuminga's trade request and get (Myles) Turner.”

“That would create a crowded Golden State frontcourt with incumbents Draymond Green and Al Horford, though the Warriors would probably want to manage their minutes and (Giannis) Antetokounmpo's return from another calf injury.”

Peloton’s full trade concept would send Podziemski, Kuminga, Butler, four future first-round picks, and one future pick swap to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo and Turner. 

If the Dubs were to surrender two young contributors in Podziemski and Kuminga, one aging star in Butler, and draft capital that could help shape the inevitable post-Curry era, winning a championship would be a must. 

Failing to reach the promised land with Antetokounmpo, the best win-now asset on the trade market, would make any deal involving the ex-NBA Finals MVP a colossal failure. 

It’s safe to say that the pressure to help Curry secure his fifth title in the Bay would intensify with the acquisition of Antetokounmpo.

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