While the Golden State Warriors reportedly made a serious push to trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, a new rumor suggests they never had a chance.
This has been a far more active NBA trade deadline than many predicted. A few weeks ago, experts suggested there wouldn’t be any moves for star players. Well, they were wrong. Over the last few weeks, prominent stars like Trae Young, James Harden, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Anthony Davis were all traded.
However, all those moves pale in comparison to the possibility of the Bucks trading the two-time MVP. Soon after Milwaukee officially started listening to offers last week, the Warriors emerged as serious contenders for Antetokounmpo’s services.
Reports stated the Warriors were willing to give up a trajectory-changing amount of future first-round picks for the nine-time All-Star. As well as young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. The word around the game a few days ago made it seem like they would win the trade sweepstakes because of that offer.
But on Wednesday night, the team made a surprising trade that sent Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis. With Kuminga out of the equation, it made many around the league suspect a trade for Antetokounmpo was dead.
Warriors were ghosted by Bucks during Giannis trade talks this week
Well, a new report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Nick Friedell, and Fred Katz confirms as much, and seems to suggest the Warriors never had a serious shot at ever pulling off a trade.
“Sources said there was an extended lack of communication from the Milwaukee side in recent days that left them, and some other teams, skeptical that Antetokounmpo would actually be on the move,” the report states.
The Athletic claims the Warriors’ offer to the Bucks was Draymond Green, Kuminga, four first-round picks, a first-round swap, and other salary to match. Clearly, that was not enough, and you can’t blame Milwaukee. They are trading the greatest player in franchise history in the middle of his prime. They want a historic return.
If that offer wasn’t good enough, it would suggest that the Warriors will never have the assets to make a trade for Antetokounmpo. Unless they are willing to add even more first-round picks. Which would be a risk and could set the franchise back for a decade to try and win a championship in a very small window.
