In recent weeks, speculation surrounding the future of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks has dominated coverage leading up to the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
After reports surfaced that Antetokounmpo may be ready to move on, the Golden State Warriors emerged as one of the teams connected to the 10-time All-Star. Multiple sources indicate that the Warriors have long eyed the opportunity to pair Antetokounmpo alongside Steph Curry.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially on the market, the Warriors had surfaced as a candidate for a trade that could alter the league landscape. However, after securing 7-foot-2 forward Kristaps Porzingis on Wednesday night, Golden State appears to have removed itself from the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
The Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo ends
Mar 12, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
During a Wednesday night appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Warriors are out of the Antetokounmpo race. Charania noted that Golden State had submitted a “pick-heavy” offer to the Bucks last week, but the Warriors now believe Milwaukee will hold onto Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline.
Just in on @SportsCenter — Jonathan Kuminga's Warriors tenure ends in three-player deal sending him to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis: pic.twitter.com/njG9B7fZ1G
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
“My understanding is the Warriors made a pick-heavy offer last week, continued to have conversations going into this week with the Bucks, but they came to the belief over the last 24 hours — the Warriors did — that the Bucks were not going to be moving their two-time MVP at this trade deadline,” the veteran NBA insider remarked.
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
With the Warriors reportedly out of the running, the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks have emerged as the primary teams connected to Antetokounmpo. The Bucks and their superstar now face a tight timeline, with the NBA trade deadline just hours away. If Milwaukee doesn’t finalize a deal by Thursday, any potential move will have to wait until the summer.