The Golden State Warriors are expected to make changes around their roster this offseason after coming up short against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. The Warriors, who played without their star Stephen Curry after the first half of Game 1, weren’t able to win another game after stealing Game 1 on the road.
Jimmy Butler III played through injury, trying to will the team to victory, but his lack of aggression has been criticized, especially after the tough losses in Games 4 and 5. With that, many have wondered about the future for Butler and the Warriors, especially considering the fact that Butler signed an extension to remain in Golden State.
Fully healthy, a team with Butler and Curry at the helm seems like a contender that could win a championship. However, if there was a chance for Golden State to upgrade to a player of the caliber of a Giannis Antetokounmpo, they’d have to look into it, right?
Giannis Antetokounmpo Intrigued by Warriors, but Team’s Not Pursuing Trade
According to The Ringer podcast, the Warriors are not currently pursuing any trade for Antetokounmpo, despite the Bucks star being very intrigued about joining the team.
On the podcast, Logan Murdock and Sam Amick made it clear that the Warriors aren’t actively pursuing Antetokounmpo. Murdock detailed his assessment.
“It doesn’t seem, at this point, that the Golden State Warriors are in the Giannis sweepstakes. I don’t think they will be— not because they don’t want to—but more so because they just don’t have the assets to get him. There was a big brouhaha—you wrote about it, I wrote about it—about Giannis and Steph hanging out at the All-Star Game,” he said.
“From what I heard—and I’m sure you heard the same thing—there was a feeling that Giannis was very, very intrigued by the idea of one day being a teammate of Steph Curry. There was at least a sense from league officials that Giannis wanted to play with Steph in the very near future. That was the impression many people got during that soirée.”
Amick chimed in quickly, noting that the party that left many talking could be a sign that Antetokounmpo does want to play with Curry. Still, the Warriors organization seems committed to Butler and Curry as a duo with Draymond Green as the defensive anchor.
“It’s Steph’s party. It’s right next to Chase Center at the Splash restaurant and bar that they have there. It’s a Warriors event. Yes, and it’s almost midnight. And Giannis and his wife Mariah—they come to the party,” Amick said.
“They go up the stairs, and the room kind of stops. Like, I’m literally talking to Joe Lacob in that moment, and it was pretty entertaining to see Joe kind of turn and start having—you know—kind of hearts in his eyes as he looks up the stairs.”
He concluded, “But that being said, the Warriors—and my colleagues at The Athletic just put this out yesterday—all signs point to them being all-in on the Jimmy Butler era. Major changes are not the focus right now. They want to build around their new Big Three. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
Should the Warriors Consider Trading Butler for Antetokounmpo?
By all accounts, the Warriors’ steadfastness in keeping Butler as he nears turning 36 is interesting. Butler, Curry, and Green have two years left on their contracts, but the concept of Antetokounmpo playing with Curry and being the face of the Warriors when Curry does retire should appeal to the organization.
Antetokounmpo is 30 years old and is considered one of the best players in the league. He averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on 60% shooting from the field. Every team in the NBA could use a player like that. If the Warriors have the chance to acquire Antetokounmpo and don’t consider it, they’d be insane.
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Every team could use a superstar like Antetokounmpo. Butler was great in his short time in Golden State so far, but when the team needed him without Curry, he couldn’t get it done. Antetokounmpo might not have those same issues. Will the Greek Freak request a trade this offseason? Time will tell.
