The Milwaukee Bucks wasted the Golden State Warriors’ time ahead of the mid-season deadline, entering into Giannis Antetokunmpo trade discussions at a time they clearly weren’t keen to move their then superstar forward.
Now a proposed blockbuster post-Giannis mock trade would also be wasting Golden State’s time, with the Warriors giving up the best player and two picks in a seismic eight-player hypothetical move.
Bucks waste Warriors’ time again in proposed post-Giannis trade
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes has suggested the Warriors and Bucks look at another deal that would land injured duo Jimmy Butler and Moses in Milwaukee, along with Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard and first-round picks in 2027 and 2031.
In return, the Warriors would get Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. who the Bucks got from the Miami Heat in the Antetokounmpo trade, along with a previously rumored target in veteran center Myles Turner and Kevin Porter Jr.
"The main appeal is clear: Butler and Moody are coming off injuries and highly unlikely to make an impact until it's too late. From a 2026-27 standpoint, the Warriors are getting four useful players in exchange for Butler and the equivalent of half a rotation player," Hughes wrote.
As much as some may argue it’s Milwaukee getting fleeced in this proposed trade, it’s actually Golden State who would surely be the first to say no. Even considering his injury, Butler is undoubtedly the best player in the trade and the optics of giving up him and two picks is impossible to ignore.Â
Herro would be interesting next to Curry but that would leave very little in the way of defense, while Podziemski is more or just as valuable as Jaquez as both 2023 first-round picks seek new contract extensions. The remaining three years and nearly $84 million of Turner’s contract looks horrible after his first year in Milwaukee, and he’s basically redundant anyway given Golden State have just re-signed veteran stretch bigs Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.Â
Warriors may as well wait until free agency next offseason
As much as there’s an urgency around the Stephen Curry timeline, and the Warriors should absolutely be tying to make moves to prioritize that, they shouldn’t be falling into the trap of making reckless deals or moves that sacrifices some of the future while not landing them a star for the short-term.Â
Herro, Turner and Jaquez are the exact type and level of players Golden State could look at next summer with their cap scape in free agency, allowing them to retool their roster without giving up future picks as this deal would suggest.Â
That doesn't mean the Warriors shouldn't explore alternative trades with the Bucks or other teams before the season gets underway, but this would be an ill-advised move and is insulting to Butler's hope of returning strongly from injury.
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