Giannis Antetokounmpo, Warriors
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks complains about a call after he was fouled by Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finally broke his silence after an agonizing week of trade speculation ended with him staying put in Milwaukee — and teams like the Golden State Warriors pivoting away.
The Milwaukee Bucks superstar posted a clip from The Wolf of Wall Street on social media, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Jordan Belfort delivering his now-iconic declaration that he was “not leaving” his firm amid federal scrutiny.
“You know what — I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving. I’m not f— leaving,” DiCaprio’s character proclaims in the scene, igniting cheers from his staff.
Antetokounmpo paired the clip with a pointed caption: “Legends don’t chase. They attract 💯😎.”
The post landed hours after the Warriors formally shifted course, ending a week-long pursuit of the two-time MVP once it became clear Milwaukee would not move its franchise cornerstone ahead of the trade deadline.
Warriors End Giannis Pursuit, Pivot to Kristaps Porziņģis
Golden State made its decisive pivot Wednesday night, acquiring former All-Star center Kristaps Porziņģis after concluding that Antetokounmpo was unavailable.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Warriors’ decision crystallized in the final 24 hours of talks.
“The Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo after a week is over,” Charania said Wednesday night on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “They made a pick-heavy offer last week and continued conversations into this week, but over the last 24 hours they came to believe the Bucks were not going to move their two-time MVP at this trade deadline.”
Rather than risk standing pat, Golden State chose to act.
Reported Offer Shows How Far Warriors Were Willing to Go
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Warriors’ framework for Antetokounmpo was significant, reportedly centered on Draymond Green, Kuminga, Milwaukee native Brandin Podziemski, and substantial draft capital.
Golden State controls up to four first-round picks and a pick swap, giving the front office flexibility few contenders possess. But once it became clear Milwaukee would hold firm, the Warriors moved quickly.
Jonathan Kuminga Era Ends in Golden State
With Antetokounmpo off the table, Kuminga’s status flipped almost immediately from centerpiece to movable asset.
“After four-plus seasons in the Bay as a former lottery pick, Jonathan Kuminga has been traded,” Charania said. “His run in Golden State is over. The Warriors were simply ready to move on.”
Kuminga’s exit followed a strained relationship that included contentious contract negotiations last offseason and an inconsistent on-court role, despite flashes of high-end athletic upside.
Porziņģis Brings Upside, Flexibility to Warriors Frontcourt
With the Giannis chase closed, Golden State prioritized optionality and immediate frontcourt help. Porziņģis fits that profile despite his injury history, offering elite floor spacing and rim protection without a long-term cap commitment.
“They get a high-upside big man if Kristaps Porziņģis can be on the floor,” Charania said. “They’ve targeted him for the last few months.”
Porziņģis is on an expiring $30.7 million contract, preserving Golden State’s financial maneuverability beyond this season. After Giannis made clear he was staying home, the Warriors adjusted — decisively and without regret.
It remains unclear whether Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will revisit trade talks in the future. Milwaukee, however, could control as many as three first-round picks to reshape Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast, including its 2026 first-rounder, which could land in the lottery if the team’s struggles continue.
The Warriors, meanwhile, remain positioned with renewed flexibility and significant draft capital, even after moving on from Kuminga.