Warriors blockbuster three-team trade idea lands history-making two-time MVP

The Golden State Warriors have won two of their first three regular season games. 

Stephen Curry is setting the nets on fire, Jimmy Butler is performing well in a Robin role, and Jonathan Kuminga is playing like he doesn’t want to get traded this season. 

Still, it’s too early to claim that the Warriors don’t need to add another piece to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a run for their money in the Western Conference. 

If Golden State wants to go all-out in an attempt to instill fear into the rest of the league, it could follow Bleacher Report’s blockbuster three-team trade suggestion and acquire a history-making two-time MVP.

“Golden State, while certainly not unique in this regard, has long held (Giannis) Antetokounmpo atop its wish list,” Buckley wrote Monday. “Trade chatter about a possible blockbuster deal for the Dubs has been lingering for years, and the Warriors are seemingly already counting down the days until the two-time MVP reaches 2027 free agency.”

“There aren't many scenarios in which Golden State would be willing to part with Jimmy Butler, but this is absolutely on that short list.”

“Bring Antetokounmpo to the Bay, and the Warriors would both ensure they'll be in the championship chase for however many years Stephen Curry has left and give themselves a foundational support for the (early) post-Curry years.”

For clarity, Buckley’s multi-team trade concept would send Jaden Ivey, Brandin Podziemski, Isaiah Stewart, Tobias Harris, and draft capital to the Milwaukee Bucks; Butler and a 2030 second-round pick (from the Warriors) to the Detroit Pistons; and Antetokounmpo to the Warriors. 

Antetokounmpo, who recently became the first player in NBA history to record 60 points, 30 rebounds, and 10 assists after the first two contests of any NBA season, is putting the Bucks on his back to start the year. 

The former first-round pick is averaging 36.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game on the 2-1 Bucks, shooting 68.3% from the field and 66.7% from downtown. 

Pairing Curry with Antetokounmpo would be a dream scenario for the Dubs, but sacrificing Butler in a potential midseason deal for the future Hall of Famer would be far from simplistic. 

At the end of the day, the Warriors’ activity on the trade market will depend on the franchise's performance during the early portion of the year.

More NBA: Lakers trade idea sends LeBron James to surging Western Conference contender