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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors have been listed as one of the top candidates to land Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade. The Bucks and Antetokounmpo have decided to part ways. With the Bucks sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, it makes sense for this to happen.
Golden State has been mentioned as one of the top candidates to land Antetokounmpo in the wake of Jimmy Butler suffering a season-ending injury. They also have the most assets of the contending teams to make a trade before next week’s deadline.
That doesn’t mean that a deal will get done before the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, a deal could also be made in the offseason. Another NBA insider believes that is when a deal will be made instead of before the deadline.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo grabs the ball. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBA Insider Believes Warriors Will Fail to Get Giannis Antetokounmpo Before Deadline
ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks doesn’t believe that a deal involving Antetokounmpo will come until this summer. He said so on The Ryen Russillo Show.
“I wasn’t surprised as far as that(the report) coming out, but I’ll be more surprised if a deal gets done by next Thursday. I’m probably more in the camp that this is going to drag into the offseason here when we get into the lottery and into free agency.”
Not only does Marks believe a deal won’t get done until the summer, but he thinks it might drag on into free agency, which comes after the draft. That would be bad news for the Warriors. They want to trade for him right now. Bringing him in sooner gives them a shot to make the playoffs this year.
The Warriors might have the most assets they can offer Milwaukee. Golden State can offer multiple first-round picks, which the Bucks might find attractive once Stephen Curry retires. It might be their best shot at accelerating a rebuild once Antetokounmpo is out of town.
GettyGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry drives the ball. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Warriors Still Might not Make the Playoffs with Giannis Antetokounmpo
Even if the Warriors were able to bring Antetokounmpo in, they might not make the playoffs. Antetokounmpo is injured and won’t be back until March. Right, Golden State sits eighth in the Western Conference standings. They have just the 13th-best offense in the league.
Curry would have to carry Golden State for the next few weeks while Antetokounmpo gets healthy. He’d also have to do that with fewer good players on the team, since they will likely be in Milwaukee. It is a lot to ask, but this trade would be for next season, as well.
Marks does say that the Warriors are the favorite to land him because of the picks they can offer the Bucks. That doesn’t mean that it’s a strong enough offer to get the deal done before the trade deadline. Golden State will try everything they can to get a deal done as quickly as possible.