When it comes to bringing in Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Golden State Warriors may look to mimic what the Lakers and Clippers this past offseason.
Over the last two years, the NBA has seen superstar forwards Anthony Davis and Paul George traded. If Giannis Antetokounmpo is next, what can the Golden State Warriors take away from those two previous high-profile transactions?
The Lakers traded for Anthony Davis after he announced he wanted out. The Thunder’s marriage of Paul George and Russell Westbrook clearly didn’t go as planned which sparked his trade the former’s trade to the Clippers and the latter’s deal to Houston.
That said, the first thing we can see is that Giannis Antetokounmpo, for Golden State to get him at a discount, would have to be disgruntled. He’s not, and he’s not going to request a trade which hurts Golden State’s potential pursuit already.
However, the Warriors can offer a mix that many other teams can’t. The Clippers gave multiple first-round picks, young talent, and pick swaps. All of those may not turn out to be highly sought after assets. The Lakers did the same minus the swaps.
The Warriors can offer high-value picks.
The No. 2 overall pick in this draft and then potentially a top-ten pick in a 2021 draft that is primed to rival some of the best drafts in league history. While Cade Cunningham wouldn’t be available, the Bucks could bring in BJ Boston or Terrence Clarke.
If the Bucks turned Giannis into Clarke, LaMelo Ball, Eric Paschall, Andrew Wiggins and another first-round pick, you’d have to tip your cap to them. The Warriors would do it in a heartbeat, but until Giannis wants out, the rumors will likely end before they ever really got started.
The package that includes Klay Thompson plus both firsts is the best bundle of assets Milwaukee will likely be presented with, if Golden State even offers their five-time All-Star. Giannis won’t be on the block for the public to know until he says he wants out.
With the long-term stability of the franchise ideal for a young star, the Bay Area’s Warriors would be a great place for Giannis. Golden State’s package would rival that of the other two stars dealt in the 2019 offseason.
It would have it all, but a small-market organization like Milwaukee isn’t going to trade their superstar until they absolutely have to. They’ll look to run it back and hope for better success next season.