The Milwaukee Bucks are in the news, mainly because the team shockingly failed in the first round of the playoffs despite holding the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks finished with a 58-24 record to top the East and had a 5th-ranked net rating which takes into account offensive rating (12th) and defensive rating (5th). With Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing third in the MVP race, the team was stacked with star talent and playoff contenders. Somehow, the Bucks lost to the 8th-placed Miami Heat in the first round.
No surprise, the Bucks decided to make changes and the first one out was Mike Budenholzer. The coach who led the team to the championship in the 2020-21 season was out, and that caused some interesting headlines across the NBA as some players were angry with this move by the franchise. This seemed like a harsh move, especially since Budenholzer was dealing with some awful off-court situations. With the championship coach out of the door, all eyes are on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite being one of the three best players in the NBA, Antetokounmpo has not yet bounced back with the Bucks after winning it two years ago. Since the team failed to make it deep into the playoffs this season, he may feel that his chances of winning a title are better elsewhere.
Of course, Giannis might have concerns about the team’s ability to build a championship-worthy roster: The Bucks have built a strong core of players around Antetokounmpo, but there are concerns about the team’s ability to build a championship-winning roster around him. If Antetokounmpo feels the team is not doing enough to build around him, he may consider other options. Milwaukee is also a small market compared to other cities in the NBA, and Antetokounmpo may desire to play in a bigger market to increase his exposure and branding opportunities.
With these factors coming into play, it is no surprise that The Greek Freak is reportedly unlikely to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. Can one imagine if arguably the best two-way player in the world joins another team? Other star players are keeping an eye out, as even superstar Damian Lillard seems to want the two-time MVP alongside him in Portland. The team that could be in play for Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Golden State Warriors, a team that struggled all year in the regular season and is currently locked into battle with the Los Angeles Lakers.
How could the Golden State Warriors make a play for two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo? By engaging in a blockbuster trade package, the Warriors can create the best team in the world next year:
Trade Package: Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, 2023 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo
With Khris Middleton, a free agent, Brook Lopez potentially looking for maximum money elsewhere, and Giannis seemingly intrigued by the possibility of playing the style of play that the Golden State Warriors employ, this trade works for both sides. Giannis wants his second NBA championship and joining the Warriors might be the best way for him to get there.
Golden State Warriors Create The Best Superteam Over The Past Decade
The Golden State Warriors already have two stars on their team and a winning culture in place. Adding superstar players to that mix always equals NBA championships. Steph and Klay have pretty much carried the team over the whole season, and the team picking it up at the end of the year meant that they had the highest chance alongside the Los Angeles Lakers to get to the Western Conference Finals. While they are engaged in a second-round matchup with the Lakers, it is still extremely valuable that the Warriors franchise can create an even better team for the short term as soon as next year.
The Warriors must go after Giannis Antetokounmpo, the game’s best player in the regular season. He is a force of nature, putting up 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 5.7 APG while leading the Bucks to the best record in the Eastern Conference. Giannis is the greatest physical specimen in the game right now and affects the game both offensively and defensively. He is not only a two-time MVP, but the Defensive Player of the Year Award as well. He is too valuable to not be winning titles anymore, and the Warriors might have a chance to get him.
The Milwaukee Bucks failed in the playoffs, so that means Giannis might be looking elsewhere. The Bucks have a very solid team built around him, but they lack some real talent similar to the level of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Giannis will be the lockdown defender for the Warriors, an imposing inside force, and the player that runs the break or finishes on the break as well. Giannis would be the final piece of a Big 3 that would give the Warriors at least two more NBA championships. Remember, Golden State went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018 with Kevin Durant, so why can’t they do it again with another superstar player?
Milwaukee Bucks Rebuild With Life After Giannis
Since the Milwaukee Bucks faltered badly in the playoffs and Mike Budenholzer is gone, Giannis Antetokounmpo might be out of the mix. He is simply too great to not be playing in an NBA Finals, especially in today’s NBA, where a player of his size can dominate every possession. With two years of frustrating playoff exits, the time is now for Giannis to force a move and decide to not opt-in long-term with the Bucks this summer. The Greek Freak is under contract until the 2025 season and has a player option for the 2026 season.
The Bucks have been trying to do whatever they can to keep Giannis happy on the team and to keep the franchise competitive. They brought in Jrue Holiday a few years ago and even signed his brother to join the team, but the past two seasons have ended horribly. Simply put, the Bucks do not have as much talent as some of the other teams in the league, such as the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and even the Golden State Warriors. If Giannis makes it clear he wants out, the Bucks need to find the best trade package to keep them competitive now and in the future.
Andrew Wiggins has become a legitimate All-Star player and is currently only 28 years old and had a strong season after being arguably the second-best player on the Warriors in the Finals last year. He averaged 17.1 PPG and 5.0 RPG this year on 47.3% shooting, and his impact as a two-way player is clear to see. Wiggins can be a building block for the Bucks alongside the extremely valuable first-round picks. These two players mean an excellent rebuild without their star, while Draymond Green can be a culture-building player who can even be traded later on. Jonathan Kuminga also had a surprisingly good year, averaging 9.9 PPG and 3.4 RPG while playing the forward position. Milwaukee might value him as a role player or someone who can reach a higher level if given enough playing time. He’s 20 years old, so playing time will only do him good at this stage of his career.
A Superteam Will Be Formed Since Milwaukee Is Forced To Rebuild
If Giannis does not re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, the franchise might be worried and willing to cash in on the star player right now. The best package that could be available comes courtesy of the Golden State Warriors, who can provide two franchise cornerstones, two first-round picks, and a player in Draymond Green who can be kept for one year before his contract expires (if he opts in) or moved in a sign-and-trade deal. Giannis has all the power right now and if he does not decide to stay in Milwaukee for the long term, the Warriors can pounce.
The Warriors know they need more size, scoring, and defense to return to their unstoppable level. Giannis Antetokounmpo could be an excellent fit for the Golden State Warriors due to his skill set and the team’s playing style. The Warriors are known for their fast-paced, team-oriented approach to the game, which would perfectly complement Giannis’ own style. Additionally, Giannis is an incredibly versatile player who can play multiple positions and is comfortable both handling the ball and playing off of other stars. Pairing Giannis with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson would offer a lot of offensive options, as all three players have excellent scoring abilities.
Most importantly, the defense improves. Golden State ranked 21st in OPPG and 17th in defensive rating, as they lacked size and defensive versatility all year. Defensively, adding Giannis to Golden State would create a formidable frontcourt alongside Kevon Looney, as Giannis is one of the best defenders in the league. Additionally, the Warriors have a strong coaching staff and organizational structure, which could appeal to Giannis as he considers his options for the long term. Overall, Giannis could fit well with the Warriors’ playing style and roster, making them a serious contender for his services in the future.
