Following the departure of Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty effectively came to an end — but their next one may already be in the works.
According to Connor Letourneau of San Francisco Chronicle, the Dubs have been “preparing: for the upcoming free-agency of Giannis Antetokounmpo for years now and some believe they are in a good position to sign him when it comes time for him to choose next summer.
According to a league source, the Warriors have been preparing for years to make a bid for Antetokounmpo. General manager Bob Myers knows that to chart a course for long-term greatness, a team must maintain flexibility — both in terms of its roster and future assets.
By orchestrating a complex sign-and-trade last summer with Brooklyn for guard D’Angelo Russell, the Warriors got younger while obtaining a key trade chip. In February, when negotiating the deal that sent Russell to the Timberwolves, Myers made sure that Minnesota included a lightly protected pick in what’s expected to be a loaded 2021 draft.
This is the same type of advanced planning that helped the Warriors land Kevin Durant in free agency in July 2016.
For Milwaukee, the threat of potentially losing him in 2021 may prompt them to consider a trade.
Even though Milwaukee would require a much better haul than Wiggins and three draft picks to part with Antetokounmpo, it might have to start considering offers for him in coming months. Trading Antetokounmpo for a package of assets would be far more palatable than letting him leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2021 if he declines the Bucks’ supermax extension this summer — a five-year deal that could be worth $254 million.
Clearly, the Warriors have been making moves for months with the hopes that they will help draw them closer to acquiring the generational superstar. Whether by trade or via free agency, they have done their due diligence.
Obviously, a pairing between Giannis, Steph, and Klay would vault the team right back into title contention. It’ll be interesting to see how the situation develops.
