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Golden State Warriors have been preparing a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo “for years”

By Nathan Beighle

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Team Giannis celebrates with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors against Team LeBron in the second quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Team Giannis celebrates with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors against Team LeBron in the second quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Are the Golden State Warriors going to target Giannis Antetokoiunmpo with what could be one of the biggest trades this generation has seen?

The Golden State Warriors, according to SF Chronicles’ Connor Letourneau have been “preparing for years.” What have they been preparing for? Well, they’ve been prepping for a blockbuster trade to acquire reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Though all indications are that he’s on good terms with team management, league sources believe that Antetokounmpo would want out of Milwaukee if he loses confidence in the franchise’s ability to win championships. This is why the NBA shutdown could buoy the Warriors’ chances of landing their long-coveted Greek,” Letourneau wrote.

Many believe the lockdown is helping the Golden State Warriors in their quest. However, a trade would be far more complex than many can even imagine. It’d take pick swaps, multiple firsts and potentially even superstar guard Klay Thompson.

Those that think recently-acquired former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins would be enough are not thinking logically. For one of the best players this generation has seen, the return would be enormous.

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We’re talking about multiple first-round swaps, the 2020 first-round pick, the Minnesota 2021 first-round pick, the team’s 2022 first-round pick and then Klay Thompson as well. That may be as sweet as the pot gets for Milwaukee.

After all, that’s a five-time All-Star to go along with what should be a top-three pick and another lottery pick. That said, the idea of Giannis in the Bay is a pipe dream and one that still feels pretty distant as Giannis has yet to grown dissatisfied with the management in Milwaukee.

That’s the key. Much like Anthony Davis did with New Orleans, Giannis has to, on purpose, note that he wants out Milwaukee before the only franchise that he’s known in his NBA career even thinks about trading him.

After all, they can offer him the supermax, a deal worth far more than any max that Golden State can toss Giannis’ way. The superstar guard/forward combo has continued to improve though, increasing his value all the more.

He’s averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Shooting 54.7% from the field and also now connecting on 1.5 threes per game, there’s no telling what his ceiling is if Giannis can continue to improve his three-point shooting.

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