Stephen Curry seems to be the sole player the Golden State Warriors are unwilling to trade as the franchise moves aggressively to land Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before the NBA trade deadline.
According to league and team sources cited by Anthony Slater on ESPN Saturday, every Warrior aside from Curry could be available as Golden State pushes to make a bold roster move to extend its championship window.
The Warriors currently hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference with a 27-23 record, a standing that shows they remain competitive but also underscores the urgency to maximize Stephen Curry’s prime as he continues to perform at an elite level at age 37.
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo joining Stephen Curry and the Warriors?
Mar 7, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Team LeBron guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors (30) and Team LeBron forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (34) before the 2021 NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Curry is putting up 27.2 points per game, connecting on 46.8 percent of his field-goal attempts and nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc, continuing to serve as the driving force behind Golden State’s offense.
Danny Emerman, however, points out that the Warriors do not plan to involve the recently injured Jimmy Butler in any trade discussions.
Jimmy Butler, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, represents another major contract that could be necessary to balance a trade financially, given that he is set to earn $54.1 million this year, making any potential deal more complicated for the Warriors.
Mar 6, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) meet after the game at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Antetokounmpo’s salary matches Butler’s, which makes the financial side straightforward, but it doesn’t reduce the overall price, as Milwaukee would still push for a hefty return in draft picks and young talent.
It’s still unclear if Golden State will ultimately make a move, but the message across the league is unmistakable: Curry remains untouchable, while every other player could be part of a deal.