Golden State Warriors: The blueprint for signing Giannis Antetokounmpo
By Tony Pesta
2. Dubs must clear cap space
The Golden State Warriors will need to clear a path for Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign with them. In particular, they need to clear a path big enough to fit a max contract player.
This is one area in which the Milwaukee Bucks will have an advantage over the rest of the league. The Bucks will be able to offer the reigning MVP a supermax contract worth approximately $250 million dollars, peaking with a massive $56 million dollars in the 2025-26 season.
The best the Warriors can do is a standard max contract that fits with their current cap, which lends a significant dropoff from the payday Giannis would receive if he stayed with the Bucks.
In order to clear up enough space to give him the money he deserves, the Warriors will need to make a sacrifice. We can assume that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are safe, meaning D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green are the two players’ potential on the trading block.
Though players have taken pay cuts in the past to play in more competitive situations, it’s hard to imagine Giannis makes that sacrifice at such an early stage in his career. The Warriors have some tough decisions to make financially.