As Giannis Antetokounmpo mulls his NBA future, teams around the league are gearing up for an aggressive pursuit. In Golden State, the Warriors are still dreaming of a Giannis/Stephen Curry pairing after watching them together at Curry's All-Star party this year in San Francisco. Giannis was reportedly the only non-Warriors player to attend.
"Antetokounmpo, who has been known to be a dream target of the Warriors for a long time, made a late-night appearance at Curry’s party in San Francisco during All-Star weekend. Warriors officials on hand took (gleeful) notice — including fellow attendee, Golden State owner Joe Lacob," wrote Sam Amick of The Athletic. "Giannis and Steph, it should be noted, are both represented by the same Octagon agency. Still, it was a Warriors-centric event with one notable, and very large, exception. And while Golden State is deeply invested in its Jimmy Butler era at the moment, the reality about a player like Antetokounmpo is that his greatness could compel nearly every owner and GM in the league to adjust their plan."
All-Star weekend is where superteams are born, and Giannis has been involved in several recruiting pitches already. Typically, as a model of player loyalty, it's Giannis who does the recruiting, actively trying to bring people to the Bucks. After a couple of disastrous seasons, however, Giannis' loyalty is being tested like never before, and some say it's only a matter of time before he asks out.
Teams like the Spurs and Rockets have been named as the early frontrunners for Giannis, but the Golden State Warriors are lurking as another potential destination. Giannis and Steph have already established some relationship after the All-Star party, and the Greek Freak reportedly prefers a bigger market (like San Francisco) over playing for a small-town team.
After the Jimmy Butler trade, Giannis' fit has become much harder to see, but there is faith they could make it work with arguably the best duo in the game between Giannis and Steph. Even at 37 years old, Steph is an elite talent, and he could take the Warriors to greatness with the proper team around him.
As a 2x MVP, NBA champion, and 9x All-Star with averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 60.1% shooting, Giannis is the best teammate Steph could hope for, and if the Warriors have a chance to get him, they must at least consider it. The only thing holding them back now is the price for his acquisition, which is expected to be historically high.
With another three years and $176 million on his contract, the Bucks control his future, and they have the most leverage in any trade negotiations. For the Warriors to win the sweepstakes and unite Giannis with Curry, it will take everything they have left, and it still may not be enough to beat the best opposing offers.
If the Warriors want Giannis, their best hope now is for Curry to keep recruiting him and hope that he forces the Bucks to send him where he wants to go. Together, they could rule the West and establish a new dynasty in Golden State that will rival their best days in the Kevin Durant era.
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