The Golden State Warriors are one of a few teams that have been heavily mentioned in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors over the past few months. They are expected to be among the top contenders to land the superstar in a deal this offseason, using their upcoming draft pick and other assets to entice the Milwaukee Bucks.
But here’s the problem: compared to some other teams around the NBA, the Warriors might not have the best Antetokounmpo trade offer. They lack young players. They lack an abundance of quality draft picks over the next few years.
The Warriors landed the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. In an Antetokounmpo trade, that pick would be one of the top assets they could offer back to the Bucks.
However, according to one insider, it doesn’t appear Golden State wants to give up that pick in a trade. That could close the door on the Greek Freak being moved to the Bay Area.
Speaking on NBA Today, league insider and reporter Marc Spears said that the Warriors could keep the 11th pick as they plan for a post-Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr future – instead of using it in a trade for Antetokounmpo.
“The Warriors have that 11th pick, and people wonder like ‘Hey, can they get in the Giannis mix?’ From what I’m being told today, from several people, the Warriors [would] like to keep that pick.”
That would be a massive decision. While the Warriors have a few other picks down the road, if they believe they’ll be in the playoffs over the next few years, the 11th pick could be one of their best assets to offer.
Let’s break down the Warriors’ dilemma, what an Antetokounmpo trade would cost, and whether keeping the 11th pick is a sign that Golden State is pivoting toward the post-Curry era.
The Spears Report: “The Warriors Would Like to Keep That Pick”
Let’s start with the most important quote.
Marc Spears is one of the most respected NBA insiders in the business. He doesn’t report rumors. He reports what he hears from people inside organizations.
When Spears says the Warriors would like to keep the 11th pick, it’s worth paying attention.
The logic makes sense. The Warriors are an aging team. Stephen Curry is 38. Draymond Green is 36. Jimmy Butler is 37 and recovering from a torn ACL. The dynasty is in its final chapters.
The Warriors need to think about the future. The 11th pick could be a foundational piece for the post-Curry era. A young player on a rookie-scale contract. A building block for the next decade.
Trading that pick for Giannis – a 31-year-old superstar with a massive contract – would be a win-now move. It would be a gamble on the next two or three years.
The Warriors have to decide which timeline they’re prioritizing.
The Marks Analysis: What Golden State Can Actually Offer
Let’s look at the numbers.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks broke down what the Warriors can offer in a trade.
*“The Warriors have the 11th pick in the draft and can trade three additional first-round picks (2028, 2030 top-20 protected and 2032). They are also allowed to swap picks in the next seven years.”*
That’s a significant package. Four first-round picks. Pick swaps. That’s the kind of capital that gets teams to listen.
But Marks also raised an important question:
“The Warriors check the boxes with the ability to trade four firsts. The question for Golden State is what would be left of the roster after an Antetokounmpo trade and whether it could compete for a championship.”
That’s the real issue. The Warriors would have to match Giannis’s massive salary. That means sending out Jimmy Butler ($56.8 million), plus potentially Draymond Green or other pieces. And they’d have to include young players like Brandin Podziemski or Moses Moody.
After all that, what would be left? Stephen Curry, Giannis, and a bunch of minimum-salary veterans? Is that a championship team?
The Trade Packages: What the Warriors Would Have to Give Up
Let’s look at two proposed trade packages.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey offered this deal:
Golden State receives: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee receives: Jimmy Butler, the No. 11 pick, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2033 first-round pick
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus offered a similar deal:
Golden State receives: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee receives: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 1st-rounder (No. 11), 2027 first-rounder, 2030 protected first-rounder, 2032 protected first-rounder
Both packages would gut the Warriors’ future. They’d lose their best young player (Podziemski). They’d lose four first-round picks. They’d lose salary flexibility.
And they’d still have to fill out the roster with minimum-salary veterans.
The Competition: Other Teams Have Better Offers
Let’s talk about the other teams in the Giannis sweepstakes.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a treasure chest of draft picks. They have young players like Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace. They could put together a package that the Bucks couldn’t refuse.
The New York Knicks have been saving assets for years. They have multiple first-round picks and young players like Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes.
The Miami Heat are always in the mix. They have Bam Adebayo (though they’d likely keep him), Tyler Herro, and draft picks.
The Warriors’ offer – even with the 11th pick – pales in comparison to what other teams can offer.
The Post-Curry Era: Why Keeping the Pick Makes Sense
Let’s look at the bigger picture.
Stephen Curry has maybe two or three elite years left. Draymond Green is declining. Jimmy Butler is injured and aging.
The Warriors need to start thinking about life after Curry. The 11th pick could be a key piece of that future.
This draft class is widely considered one of the deepest in recent memory. Players like Yaxel Lendeborg, Karim Lopez, and Labaron Philon could be available at No. 11. Any of them could become a building block for the next era.
Trading that pick for a 31-year-old Giannis would be a gamble. A massive one. If Giannis gets hurt – or if the Warriors still can’t compete – they’d be left with nothing.
The Curry Factor: What Does Steph Want?
Let’s not forget the most important voice in the room.
Stephen Curry has made it clear that he wants to win. He’s also made it clear that he wants to retire a Warrior. He’s not going to demand a trade. He’s not going to force his way out.
But he does have input. The Warriors will consult him on any major decision.
If Curry wants to make one last run with Giannis, the Warriors will try to make it happen. If Curry is okay with a youth movement, the Warriors will keep the pick.
Curry’s preference will carry significant weight.
The Kerr Extension: A Sign of Patience?
Let’s talk about Steve Kerr.
Kerr just signed a two-year extension. He didn’t sign up to coach a rebuilding team. He signed up to compete.
But Kerr is also a pragmatist. He knows the Warriors can’t stay young forever. He knows the dynasty is ending.
Kerr’s extension could be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the current direction – whatever that direction is. If the Warriors were planning a full rebuild, Kerr might have walked away.
The fact that he stayed suggests he believes the Warriors can still compete. But competing doesn’t necessarily mean trading for Giannis. It could mean developing young players while maximizing Curry’s remaining years.
The Spears Prediction: Warriors Likely Out on Giannis
Let’s go back to Marc Spears.
If Spears is right – if the Warriors truly want to keep the 11th pick – then they are likely out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
The Bucks will demand a king’s ransom for their superstar. They’ll want young players and multiple first-round picks. If the Warriors aren’t willing to include the 11th pick, their offer won’t be competitive.
Other teams will outbid them. The Thunder. The Knicks. The Heat. All of them can offer more.
The Warriors would be left on the outside looking in.
What the Warriors Should Do
Let’s put ourselves in Mike Dunleavy’s shoes.
Option 1: Trade for Giannis. Include the 11th pick, Podziemski, Butler, and multiple future firsts. Go all-in on the next two years. Hope Giannis stays healthy. Hope the supporting cast is good enough.
Option 2: Keep the 11th pick. Draft a young player. Develop the core. Let the Curry era end gracefully. Build for the future.
Option 1 is exciting. It’s the kind of move that gets fans excited. It’s the kind of move that could lead to another championship.
Option 2 is boring. It’s the kind of move that feels like giving up. But it might be the smarter long-term play.
The Warriors have to decide which path to take.
The Golden State Warriors have a decision to make. They have the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They have the assets to make a competitive offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But according to Marc Spears, the Warriors would like to keep that pick. They’re thinking about the post-Curry era. They’re thinking about the future.
If that’s true, the Warriors are likely out of the Giannis sweepstakes. Other teams have better offers. Other teams are more willing to part with their young assets.
The Warriors could pivot. They could change their minds. They could decide that one last run with Giannis is worth the cost.
But the early indications suggest they’re leaning toward the future.
The 11th pick might be the most important asset the Warriors have. Not for a trade. For the post-Curry era.
And if they keep it, the Giannis dream will die in the Bay Area.