Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts scoring a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors.
The Golden State Warriors are still in the hunt for Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Milwaukee Bucks chose not to move the two-time MVP ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday, February 5, but there is a much clearer path to pairing Stephen Curry with another former MVP this summer.
Tim Bontemps of ESPN wrote about the future of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James following the wrap on deadline day and mentioned a combo of Curry and James bringing legitimate excitement to the Bay Area in 2026, even if not legitimate title contention at this late stage in their respective careers.
“There’s a possibility James will remain in Los Angeles, where he’s been a member of the Lakers for the past seven seasons, but things have obviously shifted there since they traded for [Luka] Doncic a year ago,” Bontemps wrote. “So, if not L.A., where? Could James join Curry a few hours north in San Francisco?”
LeBron James Could Be Value Replacement for Jimmy Butler, Who Warriors Can Still Use in Blockbuster Trade
Jimmy Butler III, Warriors
GettyJimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler tore his ACL on January 19, which typically creates at least a nine-month recovery timetable.
That could be a tougher challenge to meet for a player in Butler who turns 37 in September, has 15 seasons already under his belt, played several years early in his career for head coach Tom Thibodeau (renowned for the wear and tear he puts on his starters) and had several runs to the Eastern Conference Finals and/or NBA Finals with the Miami Heat in recent years.
Butler has one year remaining on his contract following this season and a $56.8 million expiring salary in 2026-27, which makes him an ideal trade fit for a big-name player over the summer or at next year’s deadline, such as Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, if he doesn’t retire, James is liable to either hunt a championship or make one of his few remaining basketball dreams come true. He has publicly speculated about how enjoyable it would be to team up with Curry after the two led Team USA to gold in Paris in the summer of 2024.
Warriors Would Likely Contend With LeBron James, Stephen Curry and New Superstar in 2026-27
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James during an NBA game.
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
James could check that off the bucket list next season, during which he will turn 42 years old and Curry will turn 39.
Their combined star power at that age might not equate to real contention in a young Western Conference headlined by teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. But if James is willing to play at a discount on a one-year deal and Golden State can find a blockbuster trade involving the swap of Butler’s salary for an unhappy star player in a losing situation, the possibilities could be several.
The Warriors might also be able to get off of Draymond Green’s contract this coming summer, even if he picks up the player option on the final year of his $100 million deal for 2026-27.
“Green could once again be at the center of trade talks this summer if and when he decides to officially pick up his $28 million player option,” Nick Friedell of The Athletic wrote Thursday.
“Another key here, assuming that the Warriors don’t include Butler in any deals over the summer, is Green either picking up his option or opting out as part of a sign-and-trade,” Friedell continued. “[Kristaps] Porzingis could also agree to a sign-and-trade, but acquiring Antetokounmpo requires at least one big outgoing salary (likely Green or Porzingis, if not Butler).”