The Golden State Warriors face a high-stakes offseason that could decide the course of their franchise. They are clearly nearing the end of the Steph Curry era, but a big trade could prop their title window open for another season or two.
One potential trade could do that and then some, with the Warriors having recently been linked to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
"... If he were to come to Milwaukee and say ' I want to play with Steph, there could be a deal worked out," Brian Windhorst was quoted as saying.
The Warriors don't have much in the way of tradable contracts. However, they could center a trade around Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga will be a restricted free agent this summer, and while he was often in coach Steve Kerr's doghouse, he could be a valuable player on a rebuilding team such as the Bucks.
Do the Warriors have enough to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The Warriors and Bucks could work out a sign and trade with Kuminga, making about $30 million annually, and package him along with Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody. Additionally, they can offer two first-round picks. That would give them just enough matching salary to potentially get a trade done.
All things considered, that is actually a fairly competitive offer for Giannis, albeit with some caveats. If Giannis indeed wants to play in a larger market, then that would take teams such as the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder off his list.
Playing in California in the Bay Area would definitely be a big step up in market size over Milwaukee. They would also have more appeal than, say, the Brooklyn Nets, who have been rumored to be in the mix. The Warriors' trade package would depend on how much the Bucks covet their young players.
Would the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis to the Warriors?
Kuminga has been productive when he's played big minutes. Nevertheless, he failed to carve out a big role on a team that desperately needed a young player to step up.
Podziemski had a down season but is still on a rookie-scale contract for the next two seasons. Moody is reasonably paid. Throw in two first-round picks, and it could be a passable offer if the Bucks are reasonably high on those players and picks.
Adding Giannis would give the Warriors new life. He is only 30 years old and could have at least three or four great seasons left in him. With a top-five player in addition to Curry, who was still among the week's best, and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors could emerge as contenders next season.
It could hurt them in the long run by costing them many of their young players and their flexibility to make trades. Be that as it may, Kuminga, Moody, and Podziemski are expendable if Giannis is interested in playing for Golden State.
All told, the Warriors have an outsider's chance of landing Giannis. It would depend largely on how badly he wants to play in a bigger market and whether the Bucks are interested in their young players. If he is and the Bucks are, then they could add a superstar to pair with Curry, Draymond Green, and Butler next season.