The Golden State Warriors were projected to compete for the championship this season after acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in February.
However, the Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference semifinals in five games.
Two-time MVP Steph Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 against the Timberwolves. He missed the rest of the series after helping the Warriors win Game 1 in Minnesota.
After Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Monday that Giannis Antetokounmpo is open to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, some connected the two-time MVP to the Warriors since he has the same agency as Curry.
However, according to Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, there are no early indications that the Warriors will pursue a trade for Antetokounmpo.
"There are no early indications that the Warriors will be at the front of the line of the yet-to-materialize Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, league sources said," Slater and Thompson II wrote. "As they enter the summer, team sources said, the internal plan and conversation is about how to best reform the role players around the Curry and Butler duo, not chase another star."
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Bucks, who signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023, have won just one postseason series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54.1 million next season. He doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Bucks won 48 games this season but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in five games. Indiana also beat Milwaukee in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
It will be fascinating to see if Antetokounmpo requests a trade this offseason. For now, though, it doesn't appear the Warriors will pursue The Greek Freak if he becomes available.