Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks
The Golden State Warriors did not land Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline.
The Milwaukee Bucks superstar made his position clear at All-Star weekend, telling ESPN he remains committed to Milwaukee. “As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks,” Antetokounmpo said. “You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
That is not what the Warriors wanted to hear. Golden State pursued Antetokounmpo heavily before the deadline and was considered to have one of the stronger packages on the table. But the Bucks held firm, and the Warriors moved on, trading Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.
However, the Giannis pursuit is far from over. And on Monday, encouraging news emerged about the Warriors’ ability to make it happen this summer.
Warriors Get Encouraging Giannis Antetokounmpo News
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward looks on. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Third Apron’s Yossi Gozlan outlined how the Warriors could position themselves for an Antetokounmpo deal this offseason despite losing Kuminga and Hield in the deadline trade.
The key lies in the contract situations of Draymond Green and Porzingis. Both players can be extended to new deals that would keep them trade-eligible for the offseason. More importantly, their first-year salaries could be structured to aggregate to the value of a max player like Antetokounmpo, whose salary sits at $58.5 million.
“It’ll be interesting to see how they handle Porzingis and Green’s contract negotiations,” Gozlan wrote. “Both can be extended to new deals now that could keep them trade-eligible for the offseason. For example, they could structure their first-year salaries so both can be aggregated for a max player like Antetokounmpo.”
In other words, the Warriors still have a path. It requires creativity from general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and a willingness to part with two significant pieces. But the framework exists.
What This Means for Golden State
Draymond Green, Warriors
GettyDraymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.
Trading Green would be difficult. But for Giannis, it would be necessary.
Green is a Warriors legend. Four championships. A Defensive Player of the Year award. A career built entirely in Golden State. Moving on from him would mark the end of an era. Porzingis, meanwhile, was just acquired at the deadline and gives the Warriors a legitimate frontcourt presence for the remainder of the season.
However, Antetokounmpo is one of the best players on the planet. A two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year, he would give Stephen Curry the superstar partner Golden State has been searching for since Kevin Durant departed. The championship ceiling with Antetokounmpo and Curry on the same roster would be enormous.
The caveat is that Antetokounmpo must actually want out of Milwaukee. His public comments suggest otherwise. But as Gozlan noted, the speculation did not die at the deadline. It was merely deferred. Antetokounmpo has two years remaining on his contract, including a player option for 2027-28. His future in Milwaukee will become a major talking point once the season ends.
Meanwhile, the Warriors can prepare. Structuring the Green and Porzingis extensions correctly keeps the option alive. And when the offseason arrives, Golden State will be ready if the opportunity presents itself.
Final Word for the Warriors
Giannis Antetokounmpo is committed to Milwaukee. For now.
The Warriors could not land him at the deadline, and his public comments at All-Star weekend did nothing to fuel optimism. But the news that Golden State can still structure a competitive package this summer is significant. The door is not closed.
Whether Antetokounmpo eventually forces his way out of Milwaukee remains to be seen. But if he does, the Warriors have done the work to ensure they are near the front of the line.