If Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly on the trade block—and all signs point to yes—the NBA could be on the verge of a massive shake-up. A two-time MVP hitting the market? Every front office in the league is dialing up Milwaukee, no questions asked.
But let’s be real: not every team has the goods or the cap space to pull this off. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, one squad might be surprisingly well-equipped to make a splash?
The Golden State Warriors.
In his breakdown of trade feasibility for 11 potential landing spots, Marks gave the Warriors—along with the Detroit Pistons—the easiest path forward, rating it a mere 2 out of 10 in difficulty. That’s not a guarantee of anything, but it screams that Golden State could craft a killer offer without nuking their current lineup or selling the farm on future assets.
Here’s the massive catch, though: Jimmy Butler’s whopping $54.1 million salary has to be in the mix to make the math add up.
That’s no minor detail, especially with Butler out indefinitely due to a torn ACL. Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has made it clear that dealing Butler isn’t on the agenda, injury or not.
But when a superstar like Giannis dangles in front of you, priorities can flip in a heartbeat.
“Unless the Warriors are going to trade Draymond Green,” Marks pointed out, “Butler’s salary this season would need to be included.”
And that’s the bombshell right there. If Golden State wants to dive headfirst into the Giannis chase, parting ways with Butler might be the gut-wrenching call they have to make.
The rumored package? It could look something like Butler, rising star Jonathan Kuminga, rookie sensation Brandin Podziemski, and as many as four first-round picks. Throw in up to three pick swaps, and Milwaukee gets a treasure trove for their rebuild or quick retool.
To even out the salaries and stay league-compliant, the Bucks might ship back Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma (if Kuminga’s involved), keeping everything balanced.
Dunleavy hasn’t slammed the door shut entirely. Post-injury, he hyped Butler’s smarts, toughness, and longevity, hinting at a comeback next season. “At some point during the season, him returning and being the player he’s been… I think he’s got a style of game that can play for a long time,” Dunleavy said in a January 20 presser. “So, I guess my vision for him is him returning at some point between now and this time next year.”
That’s not exactly screaming “untouchable.” And with Giannis as the ultimate prize, you’d bet the Warriors are at least kicking the tires.
Zooming out, Marks’ rankings show the Warriors in prime position. After them and the Pistons (both 2/10), the Raptors sit at 3/10, Trail Blazers at 4/10, Spurs at 6/10, and a pack including the Thunder, Heat, Rockets, and Hawks all at 7/10. The Knicks and Timberwolves? They’re staring down 8/10 hurdles.
Bottom line: the race will be cutthroat, but Golden State’s combo of talent, contracts, and wiggle room puts them in the driver’s seat—if Milwaukee’s really ready to move their cornerstone.
It’s all speculation for now, and a deal might never materialize. But one thing’s crystal clear: if Giannis is up for grabs, the Warriors are right in the thick of it, bombshell decision and all.