The Golden State Warriors have been linked with some of the biggest stars in the NBA in recent weeks, but it appears their dream is to land Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The Warriors’ ‘dream scenario’ superstar this summer is Giannis Antetokounmpo, per Shams Charania.”
Well, I would say that would be the dream scenario for almost every team in the league. Antetokounmpo is regarded as a top-three player in the NBA, at the very least, and is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game this season.
Almost any team he would join would become a serious title contender, even though the Milwaukee Bucks don’t look like one at present. The Bucks are 3-7 since Doc Rivers took over as head coach and have fallen to 35-21 on the season.
I would back them to steady the ship post the All-Star break, but if this campaign ends in disappointment in the playoffs, could Antetokounmpo want out? During this past offseason, Giannis had hinted at a potential breakup with the Bucks. The eight-time All-Star stated if there was a better situation for him to win a title, then he would have to go for it.
It was after Antetokounmpo made those comments that the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard. The move was made to appease him, and Giannis did proceed to sign a three-year, $186 million extension with Milwaukee. The 29-year-old is now under contract through the 2026-27 season and has a $62.9 million player option for 2027-28.
So, the Bucks do have a lot of leverage now if he decides after this season that he wants out. It would take a massive haul for the Warriors to acquire him, and I am not sure they have the assets.
Jonathan Kuminga and maybe Brandin Podziemski are the only players who have great trade value on their roster if we exclude Stephen Curry. A package of those two, along with a 2029 first-round pick and players like Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, and Kevon Looney to match salaries, is not going to be enough to land Antetokounmpo. The only way I could see them getting him is if Giannis requests to be traded only to the Warriors.
This report comes on the back of the Warriors attempting to trade for LeBron James to pair him with Curry. I don’t blame Golden State for aspiring to land these big names, as I don’t think their current roster is good enough to seriously compete for a championship.
The Warriors have had a mini-revival of late to get to 27-26 on the season, but this team’s ceiling for me is the Conference Semifinals. They need to make a splash if they are to get back to the Finals, and a move for the likes of Antetokounmpo or James would be just that.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Called Out His Teammates
The low point of this 2023-24 season for the Bucks came just before the All-Star break when they lost 113-110 to a Memphis Grizzlies side that was without a host of big names. Antetokounmpo called out his teammates after that embarrassing loss.
“We have to want it, man,” Antetokounmpo said. “Like enough with the talking. Enough with the, ‘our s— don’t-stink’ mentality. Do we really want it? Are we putting in the work? Are we going to put in the effort? That is the most important thing. Guys are tired, that’s an excuse. New coach, excuse. New system, excuse. New defense, excuse. All of it, it’s excuse. At the end of the day, you’re going to go out there and try to play basketball, try to compete and they competed harder than us today.”
The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart but competed harder than the Bucks and won. If Antetokounmpo doesn’t see more effort from his teammates after this break, he might start considering his options.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
