Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Warriors
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Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Golden State Warriors have quietly positioned themselves as the most asset-rich and aggressive suitor in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes — and, according to a new report, the Milwaukee Bucks are taking notice.
With Thursday’s NBA trade deadline approaching, Milwaukee has not dismissed Golden State’s proposal and is intrigued by the breadth of draft capital and flexibility the Warriors can offer, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
“To this point, the Bucks have not declined the Warriors’ offer,” Siegel reported Monday. “Milwaukee’s front office was fascinated with the idea of acquiring all of Golden State’s future assets, but they are also taking their time with coming to a decision, which is not expected to happen until sometime within the final 24 hours before the deadline.”
Warriors Hold Deepest Draft Capital Among Giannis Suitors
Golden State’s advantage begins with draft equity.
The Warriors can offer up to four first-round picks, including selections in 2028, 2030 (if it falls outside the top 20) and 2032, plus a potential 2031 pick swap. Rival executives widely regard those picks as premium assets because they are projected to land in the post-Stephen Curry era.
Among Antetokounmpo’s serious suitors, no team can match Golden State’s combination of long-term draft control and immediate flexibility — a critical factor for a Bucks organization weighing a potential franchise-altering decision.
Salary Flexibility Gives Warriors Multiple Trade Paths
Just as important as draft capital is Golden State’s ability to structure a deal.
The Warriors can construct a trade centered on Jimmy Butler’s salary alone or expand negotiations to include Draymond Green and younger rotation players such as Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski.
Golden State also holds a blue-chip young asset in Jonathan Kuminga, the former No. 7 overall pick who has drawn interest from Milwaukee in prior offseason discussions.
That flexibility allows the Bucks to choose between immediate cap relief, long-term draft accumulation, or a hybrid approach — a luxury few other bidders can provide.
Warriors Identified as Most Aggressive Giannis Pursuer
According to Siegel, Golden State has been the most aggressive franchise in the Giannis market.
“Right now, the Warriors have been the most aggressive team pursuing Giannis,” Siegel wrote. “The two organizations have talked at length about the idea of a Giannis trade, with ownership and the front office aligned that no player other than Curry is truly off-limits.”
That alignment between owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has allowed Golden State to push forward without internal hesitation — a key differentiator as the deadline nears.
Knicks’ Hesitation Further Clears Path for Golden State
Golden State’s standing improved further Monday when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the New York Knicks — long viewed as Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination last summer — are not aggressively pursuing a deal.
“The Knicks believe in this team,” Windhorst said Monday on ESPN’s Get Up. “They didn’t make an aggressive offer last summer, and they’re not showing that aggression now.”
Windhorst added that winning a bidding war would require a complex, multi-team trade — something New York is not currently pursuing. That stance effectively removes one of Golden State’s primary competitors.
Heat Remain Main Rival, but Offer Falls Short on Picks
With the Knicks cooling, the Warriors’ primary competition appears to be the Miami Heat.
According to Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Miami’s proposed package would be headlined by Tyler Herro and promising big man Kel’el Ware, Terry Rozier’s expiring contract, and first-round picks in 2030 and 2032, along with multiple pick swaps.
The Heat are looking to flip former Warriors wing Andrew Wiggins into an additional first-round pick to improve their offer.
While Miami can offer appealing young talent, league observers note that the Heat’s proposal lacks the sheer volume of first-round picks Golden State can place on the table — a distinction that may weigh heavily on Milwaukee’s decision.
Decision Looms as Deadline Approaches
Milwaukee is expected to take its time before making any final call, with no decision anticipated until the final hours before the deadline.
But as talks intensify, one reality has become increasingly clear: if the Bucks decide to move Antetokounmpo, the Warriors have positioned themselves as the standard to beat — armed with unmatched draft capital, flexible contracts, and a willingness to push nearly all their chips in pursuit of a generational star.