As the NBA trade season begins to heat up, it appears increasingly likely that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will soon be moved. The Golden State Warriors appear to be in the mix to land Giannis, though that may prove costly with him making more than $54 million this season.
That means for the Warriors to trade for him, they would have to part with either Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green. While Giannis would be an upgrade over Butler and especially over Green, trading their second-best player or a player who's been with their team for 14 years seems unlikely.
Instead, the Warriors should pursue a more affordable trade target, such as Bucks center Myles Turner. If Giannis is traded, expect Turner to likely be moved as well.
He is a much more realistic trade target considering that Milwaukee would no longer have a need for him and his $25.3 million salary with Giannis not on the team.
Warriors' perfect trade target just became available and it's Myles Turner
The Warriors have the shortest team in the NBA and could use a big man who can both block shots and hit threes. The Warriors signed Al Horford to be a cheaper version of Turner, but he has yet to pan out, so they should pursue Turner if he becomes available.
The framework for a potential trade would see the Warriors trade Jonathan Kuminga, a 2027 unprotected first, and a 2030 pick swap for Turner. That might seem like a lot for Turner, but Kuminga's trade value has likely tanked this season.
He was benched after struggling earlier this season and then missed time with tendinitis. Upon his return he failed to bounce back and even got a DNP during a recent blowout win.
Trading Jonathan Kuminga for Turner is a no-brainer
It's becoming increasingly obvious he doesn't have a future in Golden State, and they should offload him while they still can. He probably doesn't hold much in the way of trade value, though his $23 million salary for this season could at least help them get a big upgrade such as Turner.
It would cost them a first and a pick swap, but they'd boast a starting lineup that includes Stephen Curry, Butler, Green, and Turner. Factor in that Turner has led the league in blocked shots twice and is shooting nearly 40% from three on more than five attempts per game over the last two seasons, and he'd solve a major concern for Golden State.
It will cost them, but the end result could help propel Golden State back into contention.