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NBA Insider says Warriors should package Klay for Giannis Antetokounmpo

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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During this downtime for the NBA, fans, especially Warriors’ diehard, are finding ways for their team to acquire superstar talent.

For the Warriors, that player is reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

However, the cost is what divides the fanbase.

Should the team give up Klay Thompson?

Most proposals have Andrew Wiggins, the 2020 first-round pick, 2021 Minnesota first-round pick and then the team’s 2022 first-round pick. Then, you can chip in a player like Eric Paschall to round it out.

Well, sorry, Dub Nation, that’s not going to be enough. You know it, I know it, and Tom Haberstroh of NBC Sports knows it. That’s one reason why he says the team should give up Klay Thompson. His reasoning is sound as well.

“Klay Thompson is a really really great player, but he is not potentially the GOAT in the NBA. When you look at Giannis Antetokounmpo and what he is doing at this age when he hasn’t really figured out a jump shot yet, we are talking an all-time great player. So yes, if we are talking Klay Thompson with Andrew Wiggins in a package with the No. 1 pick, or whatever the top pick would be for the Warriors this year, I think that package you’d put on the table for Giannis Antetokounmpo because he is that good, he is that transformative and you put him with Steph Curry … It has vibes of 2016 and Kevin Durant coming to the Warriors then,” Haberstroh told NBC Sports’ Grant Liffmann.

The idea is you take the same trade that was crafted around Wiggins, and you include Klay Thompson who signed a max-value contract last offseason. Thompson is still under contract for four more seasons.

The five-time All-Star has value, and on the right team, he could be a superstar. Having scored over 20 points per game for five straight seasons, Thompson has elevated his game to become one of the best two-way guards in the league.

However, we’re also talking about Giannis, the reigning MVP. Klay for Giannis is a tough conversation, but I’d do it for all the reason’s Haberstroh would.

It’s not every day you can couple two MVPs together. Still having yet to peak, Giannis is averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. More impressive is the fact that he’s averaging 1.5 threes per game as well.

Given all that Klay has done for the Warriors, parting ways would be difficult, but when it comes to the future of the league, Giannis will soon take over as the best player in the NBA.

That said, for this deal to even work, Giannis would have to note his disapproval of the Bucks management because, if not, there’s no way he’s being traded anytime soon.

Next. Top 25 Golden State Warriors in franchise history. dark

It’s a pipe dream, but it’s certainly one worth the thought.

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