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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s season is over, but his time with the Golden State Warriors may have just begun

By Brett Siegel

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 31: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds his eyes during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 31: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds his eyes during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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After losing 4-1 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals combined with two years of playoff disappointment with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s doubts could lead him to the Golden State Warriors.

Whether it be this offseason via trade or in the 2021 offseason via free agency, there are a lot of rumors circulating about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee after back-to-back years of playoff failure. Could the Golden State Warriors be a perfect fit?

While it may seem improbable that the Warriors could swoop in and grab Antetokounmpo within the next year or so, it may be exactly what the Warriors plan on doing.

With the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and some valuable trade assets (future picks and players), the Warriors have the ability to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade this offseason.

Colin Cowherd fully believes that this may be the end of Antetokounmpo’s career in Milwaukee and that the Warriors are a team on his radar.

"“Stars hang out with stars. Winners hang out with winners. And the NBA, more than any league in the world, is a STAR driven league… The Warriors acquired Andrew Wiggins for one reason: to get Giannis… Giannis, Steph, Draymond and Klay, no thank you! You might as well just set your clock to those guys in The Finals!”"

If Giannis truly believes that there is no championship future with the Bucks and he decides it is in his best interest to pursue another franchise with championship pedigree, the Bucks as an organization needs to identify that trading him is in their best interest for future success.

If the Warriors offer up Andrew Wiggins and Eric Paschall, along with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and Minnesota’s 2021 first-round pick (lottery projected), it will be very hard for them to turn that offer down knowing Giannis may leave the following offseason.

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The biggest concern for the Warriors, in efforts to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, will be how the recent events of the global pandemic affect the NBA’s finances and projected salary caps for the coming years.

The  Warriors are already tied down to four contracts over $20 million on their roster, so in order to acquire Giannis, they would have to trade at least one of these contracts as Antetokounmpo is set to become the highest-paid player in NBA history with his next deal.

The Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat are also rumored to be potential suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo if he decides he wants out of Milwaukee. With the recent success the Raptors and Heat have had over Giannis and the Bucks, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports had this to say about the Raptors and Heat rumors of acquiring him.

"“It’s no wonder many in league circles believe Miami and Toronto are the frontrunners in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, with one observer telling Yahoo Sports “it’s an open secret” within the Orlando bubble.”"

It seems hard to believe that the Heat would tear apart their team, which just beat Giannis and the Bucks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, by trading their young, All-Star-caliber players, completely flipping their roster.

The same theory goes for the Raptors who just won the NBA Championship last season and have had a lot of success with their young core to this point.

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With everything that has happened to Milwaukee in their last few playoff runs, especially after having the best record in the NBA for back-to-back seasons, it seems very likely that Giannis Antetokounmpo is frustrated, leading him to possibly wanting to leave Milwaukee and join a solidified title contender.

However, he’s said that’s “not happening.” That said, it is 2020 so you never truly know what could happen in a few months.

Next. Should the Warriors go after a top pick or championship?. dark

In the event that this occurs, the Warriors are very much in play to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, thus shocking the NBA yet again!

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