Golden State Warriors undervalued as trade destination for two-time MVP
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has caused quite the stir this offseason, with recent comments drawing speculation among NBA fans including those of the Golden State Warriors.
Antetokounmpo has made no secrets about his desire to be in a winning situation, leading to speculation regarding his future with the 28-year-old eligible to become a free agent in the 2025 offseason.
The Golden State Warriors have been left undervalued as a trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo should he wish to depart the Milwaukee Bucks.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently put the idea of Antetokounmpo being traded on the agenda, hypothesizing that the Bucks could get out on the frontfoot next season rather than risk losing him for nothing the following year.
In the same discussion on The Lowe Post, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne evaluated the Warriors as one of four potential suitors for the 2021 Finals MVP. The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat were also identified.
However, that perspective hasn’t transferred to a recent article from HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan. Looking at the top trade destinations for Antetokounmpo, Golden State were ranked sixth out of nine teams that were recognized as having a realistic shot at the seven-time All-Star.
"“The Warriors can offer a combination of Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and first-round picks in 2026 and 2028, and pick swaps in between. They could also offer Klay Thompson or Draymond Green, but the Warriors may prefer to keep them in Golden State until the end of their careers”, Gozlan wrote."
Ranked above the Warriors were the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Knicks. While those teams may possess better trade packages than the Warriors, perhaps only the Knicks would be on the same level as Golden State in terms of a preferred destination for Antetokounmpo himself.
It’s important to note that the ‘Greek Freak’ would have leverage if such a situation were to arise next offseason. With the potential of opting out and become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, he could warn off potential suitors by suggesting he wouldn’t re-sign there after one season.
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That’s what the Warriors and asset-stricken teams like the Lakers and Heat would have to rely upon. In the meantime, rival teams will hope the Bucks fall flat on their face again this season in the hopes Antetokounmpo may become available as a result.