Can the Warriors close a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo? The most important questions one week before the deadline.
24 hours after the injury anterior cruciate ligament of Jimmy Butler, that changed the course of the franchise, the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, Mike Dunleavyadmitted that the team’s new reality meant a different approach might be necessary ahead of the transfer deadline.
“Maybe the parameters have changed,” Dunleavy said. “Perhaps the objectives have changed.”
One of the key moments in NBA roster planning is just a week away. Ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Warriors have several questions to answer, starting with the implications of the Butler injury.
In the days since, team sources have described their approach as more focused on the future. With Butler on the roster, they were exploring smaller-scale upgrades, trying to use Butler’s $22.5 million salary. Jonathan Kuminga to boost a rising team that they believed had a chance of being a contender.
The real chances of competing for the title vanished when Butler was injured, which reduced the board’s interest in investing an asset in an operation that only sought immediate results. They may find a deal that improves the team’s potential this season, but their goal is to better prepare the squad to enter the title fight in the 2026-27 season and beyond.
The Warriors’ top target remains the same dream name that has been on their radar for nearly a decade: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The big difference now is that Milwaukee’s door appears to finally be ajar. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Bucks general manager Jon Horst has recently expressed a willingness to consider a trade.
What can the Warriors offer in exchange for Giannis?
League sources told ESPN that the Warriors have been in contact with the Bucks over the past week and have expressed their strong interest in Antetokounmpo and their willingness to submit a substantial offer, regardless of his calf injury and yet-to-be-determined recovery time frame.
It’s unclear if Antetokounmpo would consider the Warriors among his options. However, his wishes, like those of any superstar who may soon sign a contract extension, are important in this negotiation. A possible transfer of Kevin Durant last February failed after Durant made it clear that he did not want a reunion with the Warriors. Antetokounmpo’s opinion will need to be canvassed to make sure he would agree to join the Warriors even if they weren’t his first choice.
But the Bucks have the upper hand in this complex situation, being able to trade Antetokounmpo next week or wait for a broader market to develop in the summer. If they decide to act now, the Warriors, among the most aggressive suitors, have the most attractive pick package. League executives believe the sooner Milwaukee acts, the better Golden State’s chances of winning the bid.
The Warriors can offer up to four first-round picks: 2026, 2028, 2032 unprotected and 2030 if it falls between spots 1 and 20 (protected in the top 20, loaned to Washington as part of the trade of Jordan Poole by Chris Paul). Because of the picks the Bucks have already given up, they could only get one additional pick swap.
In previous talks about smaller deals, the Warriors have been reluctant to part with their post-Stephen Curry era draft picks. This is not a small conversation. Post-Curry era picks would be available to Milwaukee and would be valuable (although less valuable, since the post-Curry era would include Antetokounmpo at around 35 years old).
“It would take a good offer [para traspasar las selecciones posteriores a Curry]”Dunleavy said. “As far as position, style of play, archetype, all that. I’d leave it pretty open. But if there is a great player available, we have everything we need to use him.”
The Warriors have told Butler of their intention to keep him despite the torn ACL, confident that he will recover and strengthen them at some point next season. Dunleavy said he was not “contemplating” trading Butler. They are not actively offering his contract, according to team sources, but everything is on the table in a conversation about Antetokounmpo, and Butler is the ideal option to match salaries, although a deal involving Draymond Green and several other rotation players is also plausible.
Rival teams, such as New York Knicks (Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby) y el Miami Heat (Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware), They have young or in-their-prime players to offer the Bucks. But Milwaukee has shown interest in Kuminga since the summer, according to league sources, and he would be considered a gamble with future potential with a controllable contract as part of the trade package.
Third-year guard Brandin Podziemski could also be key, according to league sources. The Milwaukee native is under contract for next season at $5.7 million, the final year of his rookie contract. To help even out salaries, the Warriors could also absorb one of Milwaukee’s veterans on long-term contracts, such as Bobby Portis (three years, $43.5 million remaining) or Kyle Kuzma (two years, $42.7 million remaining).
What is the alternative plan?
According to team sources, if the Warriors don’t land Antetokounmpo, there is no one in the current transfer market that would force them to make such an aggressive investment.
They have shown interest in Trey Murphy III, eaves of the New Orleans Pelicansbut they have encountered the refusal of the board of Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver, which until now has been reluctant to transfer most of its young promises, according to league sources.
The Warriors have been linked to other mid-level players, such as Michael Porter Jr. de los Brooklyn Nets y Andrew Wiggins from Miami, but team sources continue to deny these rumors. A team source stated that they have not contacted nor do they plan to contact Miami about a possible return of Wiggins.
What does this mean for Kuminga?
Despite Kuminga’s desire for a fresh start and a more consistent role outside of the Warriors, Dunleavy has made it clear since the summer that he will not trade Kuminga if he is not convinced by the value of the deal.
Before Butler’s injury, the front office was more willing to trade Kuminga for a rotation player on a short-term contract who could help the team compete this season.
But Butler’s injury, while reducing his title hopes — barring a big trade — also elevated Kuminga from being out of the rotation to playing 20 to 25 minutes per game.
“Now that Jimmy’s out, there’s no doubt he’s going to play,” Kerr told ESPN. “He’s going to play an important role. So I hope he recovers soon.” [de una pequeña contusión ósea] because it is a great opportunity for him and we need him. “We need what he brings.”
The Warriors are still exploring the Kuminga transfer market, but team sources have indicated that he is less likely to be traded following Butler’s injury. He has a $24.3 million team option that could be exercised in the summer and a clearer path to immediate playing time, which could increase his value and allow both sides to get what they ultimately want.
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Shams confirms several “aggressive” offers for Giannis
Shams Charania details the next steps for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as the trade deadline approaches.
What does this mean for the final chapter of the Curry-Kerr era?
The Warriors have a record of 27-22, they are currently in the eighth place in the Western Conference, in the play-in zone they have frequently occupied over the last half decade.
“Our goals haven’t changed. We’re still trying to win,” Kerr said. “But obviously our potential is not that high. I mean, Jimmy is one of the best players in the league and we were pretty convinced that if they gave us a chance in the playoffs, we could go on a good run like last year.
“With Jimmy gone, obviously it’s going to be a lot harder to do it. But we’re still going to try. We’re going to keep doing everything we can to put ourselves in a good position, make the playoffs, and you never know what can happen.”
Curry will turn 38 in March. Time is running out.
Kerr has maintained his belief that it is unwise for the franchise to spend valuable assets on marginal upgrades, but it is clear that those on the day-to-day basis would welcome an additional reinforcement in February if it were reasonably possible.
“It’s up to Mike and Joe [Lacob]” Kerr said. “I’m in the last year of my contract, so nothing is guaranteed for the future. I have always believed that they should do what is best for the franchise. But we have Steph Curry and Steph is still playing at a high level, and if there’s anything we can do to give Steph more help, we should do it. “What that means is always in the details, what options are available and what we would have to give up.”
Kerr did not seek a contract extension at the start of the season. He believes the open nature of their future is the healthiest for both parties. He said he’s still not leaning one way or another on whether he’ll return for a 13th season as Warriors coach.
“Let’s wait until the end of the year and see if we’re all on board,” Kerr said. “If we are, we will move forward. If not, no. [Dependerá de] How the season ends, what the future looks like, all that influences. And they, that is, Joe and the board, have a lot to think about. “It’s a really interesting time for the organization.”
