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.
The Golden State Warriors have been confirmed to have strong interest in potentially trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo for many months now. Antetokounmpo reportedly expressing his desire to be traded sees every team with interest now ready to put together their best trade packages.
Respected NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed on NBA Today that he believes Golden State has the best offer ready and that other teams must find a way to top them:
“The Golden State Warriors are a team that immediately rises to the top of the list as far as teams that can make a straight up trade with the Bucks. They can make a team vs team trade. The Warriors hold all of their future draft assets. They can trade all of them [with] up to four picks and [more] swaps.
Steph Curry is there. They have an immediate name for a star power. This is where this discussion begins for Golden State, and everyone else will try to beat a strong Golden State offer.”
Windhorst made it clear that the Warriors have the best chance at acquiring Antetokounmpo due to the number of draft picks they can offer. Other teams hoping to make the move, like the New York Knicks and Miami Heat, have less valuable trade assets. Stephen Curry also provides a superstar teammate for Giannis to team up with better than any other option.
Warriors Trade Package For Giannis Antetokounmpo
The trade package for Antetokounmpo by Golden State will see the boatload of draft picks and swaps as the main incentive. Injured star Jimmy Butler seems like a strange piece on paper for a rebuilding team, but his deal only lasts two seasons to make him ideal to the Bucks timetable.
Milwaukee could take the chance on young talents like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to develop for the future. However, the Butler contract is the main asset that matches the salary and allows them to run out his deal to clear up cap space after next season.
Other teams may be able to offer better “ready now” talent or young assets with higher potential. The issue for those other teams is that Giannis has some leverage. Most teams will not trade for Antetokounmpo unless he is fully happy about the move.
Would Giannis Antetokounmpo Want Golden State?
Reports indicate that the Knicks, Heat and Toronto Raptors are the teams on Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destinations. Previous rumors of his desire to play for a big market and his respect for Curry could easily add Golden State to the list.
Milwaukee will have no shortage of trade offers and could easily extend this into the offseason for their leverage. More teams will have stronger trade packages after the season ends, which is why most blockbuster trades come in the offseason over the trade deadline.
Windhorst believes that Golden State will dictate the market since they have the best straightforward trade package. Other teams with a realistic chance will need a third team involved to get more assets to appease the Bucks. Players of Giannis’ caliber rarely hit the market, and the Warriors are ready to make their best offer.