Giannis Antetokounmpo is waiting for news of a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. The two-time MVP is "ready for a new home" after nearly 13 years in Cream City, where he won his sole NBA championship to date in 2021.
Contenders and big-market teams are lining up to pitch the Bucks. The Miami Heat, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks have been strongly linked with Antetokounmpo. But the Golden State Warriors, in need of another star attraction following Jimmy Butler's season-ending knee injury, can offer a package that Milwaukee would find tough to turn down.
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ESPN's Anthony Slater said Thursday that Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy is "making calls" as he ramps up an "aggressive pursuit" of Antetokounmpo. Golden State's potential advantage in talks centers on the draft capital they can offer -- which may help Milwaukee rebuild faster in a post-Giannis era.
"If Milwaukee prioritizes draft picks, this is a time for the Warriors to strike," Slater said. "They've been protective of their post Steph Curry-era picks, but this is the type of guy they've always said they'd go after with these picks."
"Mike Dunleavy is making calls. The Warriors are aggressive in this pursuit of Giannis. They've contacted the Bucks in the last week and let them know if it gets to that stage a substantial offer will be on the table for them. If Milwaukee prioritizes draft picks, this is a time… pic.twitter.com/HKpVkEgytK
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 29, 2026
Crucially, the Warriors control each of their first-round draft picks through 2032, although their 2030 first-rounder could go to the Washington Wizards if it falls outside the top 20.
In addition, Golden State can send players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to Milwaukee if the Bucks want younger options as they prepare to retool their roster. The Warriors also have veteran contracts to offer beyond Butler: Buddy Hield, Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton.
For the next couple years, the Warriors could pair Antetokounmpo and Curry to continue competing toward the top of the Western Conference. But adding Antetokounmpo would make Golden State's post-Curry plan a bit less murky and allow for sustained title contention.
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