Golden State Warriors Linked As Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Suitor

The 2024 NBA Playoffs weren’t to be for the Golden State Warriors this season. They lost in the NBA Play-In Tournament as the No. 10 seed to the Sacramento Kings, getting blown out 118-96. 

It felt like the end of an era when the game finished, as everyone on the Warriors seemed to know what was coming next. While it is something no one wants to see happen, some major changes could be on the horizon.

The biggest, right now, is what to do with Klay Thompson. Thompson will hit free agency this summer and look for a lucrative contract. Will Golden State be willing to pay that, locking in their core of Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green for another few seasons knowing they are past their primes?

It will be interesting to see how things ultimately play out. The Warriors will also be keeping an eye on the 2024 NBA Playoffs, as some big names could hit the trade market this offseason depending on how things go.

One player who could hit the trade block is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. NBA Insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN teased the possibility of him looking for a chance of scenery should Milwaukee fail to advance in the postseason for a second straight year.

His trade market would be robust as every team in the NBA could benefit from having a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber on their roster. Chris Rasvoglou of The Spun believes that the Warriors are one of the teams who could get in on the Greek Freak sweepstakes.

“It seems the Warriors have hit their ceiling with their current roster. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green still have moments where they shine, but Steph Curry needs a better co-star.

If Antetokounmpo wants out of Milwaukee, why not force your way to Golden State? He’d get to play for a winning organization without having to worry about carrying the offense every game,” wrote Rasvoglou.

Pairing Antetokounmpo with Stephen Curry has to be something that would intrigue the Warriors. It is clear, as currently constituted, that they aren’t a playoff-caliber team, let alone a championship-caliber one. Adding Antetokounmpo would instantly change that.

A perennial MVP candidate still in the prime of his career, Antetokounmpo had arguably the most productive campaign in his NBA tenure to date this season. With the potential to trade three or four first-round picks this offseason and a few intriguing young players on the roster, the Warriors could put together a solid offer for Antetokounmpo.