Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Warriors
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulates Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors beat the Bucks at Chase Center on January 07, 2026.
With the NBA’s next superstar domino potentially forming off the court, the Golden State Warriors are again being linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo as agent intrigue intersects with offseason planning and the franchise’s championship timeline.
That intrigue intensified after TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott reported what he described as “real drama” involving Antetokounmpo and his longtime representation — a development league observers say could have sweeping implications if it signals an eventual push out of Milwaukee.
Abbott Reports Giannis Was ‘Close to Firing’ Longtime Agent
Abbott wrote in his Substack newsletter that Antetokounmpo was close to firing longtime agent Alex Saratsis of Octagon, citing frustration over the lack of traction toward a trade.
“So it was alarming to hear a story of real drama, that Giannis was close to firing his longtime agent Alex Saratsis over his failure to get Giannis traded from the Bucks,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott cautioned that agent maneuvering is a constant undertone of NBA life, particularly when generational stars face uncertain futures. Still, he added that multiple NBA sources believe there is a real chance Antetokounmpo could soon have a new agent, a move that would almost certainly accelerate trade speculation.
“The subtext of all this,” Abbott wrote, “is about getting out of Milwaukee.”
Agent Dynamics Tie Giannis Directly to Warriors’ Core
Rich Paul, Adele, Warriors
GettyNBA agent Rich Paul and Adele attend Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks.
Antetokounmpo is represented by Saratsis, his fellow Greek, who joined Octagon in 2009 and is widely credited with helping build the agency’s international clout.
Warriors franchise star Stephen Curry is also represented by Octagon, with Jeff Austin, the head of the agency’s basketball division, serving as Curry’s longtime agent — a shared agency connection that has not gone unnoticed around the league.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green is represented by Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, whom Abbott identified as actively angling to represent Antetokounmpo. Abbott reported that Paul has been in contact with Thanasis Antetokounmpo and has positioned himself as an agent capable of getting a superstar “where he wants to go.”
As of this week, Antetokounmpo remains with Saratsis. Under revised NBPA rules, a player can now change agents after a seven-day waiting period, down from 15 previously, according to Abbott.
Warriors Positioned With Picks, Young Players for Blockbuster
If Antetokounmpo were to become available, Golden State would enter the conversation with one of the league’s stronger trade packages.
The Warriors can offer up to four first-round picks, along with a group of young players led by Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler, who carries an expiring $56.8 million salary next season — a combination of draft capital, upside talent, and salary cap relief that league executives view as competitive in any superstar sweepstakes.
That asset base, combined with Curry’s presence and Golden State’s championship infrastructure, helps explain why the Warriors are widely viewed as a team preparing for a major offseason swing.
Fischer: Warriors Expected to Explore Giannis, LeBron Paths
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GettyLos Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Milwaukee Bucks‘ Giannis Antetokounmpo are on the Golden State Warriors’ radar.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are expected to explore two seismic offseason paths: positioning themselves in any potential trade market for Antetokounmpo and revisiting the long-rumored idea of pairing LeBron James with Curry.
“Sources say that the Warriors naturally do plan to feature prominently in the trade mix for Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo if he truly becomes available via trade this offseason,” Fischer reported Thursday in The Stein Line, “while also exploring the prospect of teaming James with Stephen Curry at last once LeBron becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.”
Bucks Project Calm, League Remains Skeptical
Publicly, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have continued to project stability. Even after suffering a calf injury expected to sideline him for four to six weeks, Antetokounmpo recently spoke about competing for the playoffs in Milwaukee.
Abbott framed the situation as a familiar NBA standoff — one in which both sides attempt to maintain appearances while preparing privately for separation.
Behind the scenes, skepticism persists.
NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that multiple teams remain engaged in monitoring Milwaukee’s posture, while Andscape analyst Marc J. Spears said Monday on NBA Today that he believes Antetokounmpo has already played his last game in a Bucks uniform.
And if Abbott’s reporting proves prescient, the first signal may not come via a trade call, but through a change of representation.