The Golden State Warriors face a pivotal offseason as they aim to construct a championship-caliber roster around their aging core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. After a fiery finish to the regular season, climbing to the seventh seed in the Western Conference and upsetting the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, the Warriors showed they still have fight left. However, their postseason run was cut short in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, largely due to a hamstring injury Stephen Curry suffered in Game 1. Now, the Warriors must make critical decisions to maximize their title window with their veteran trio.
One tantalizing option that has surfaced is a potential trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who could elevate Golden State to immediate championship contention. Rumors have swirled about the Warriors’ interest in the Greek Freak, but a recent discussion on The Crossover with Mark Willard raised a sobering question about the cost of such a move.
“What it would take to have Giannis, Steph, Jimmy, and Draymond all on the Warriors, you’re talking about a carcass,” Willard said. “Those four and 12 Pat Spencers. And you’d have no assets for years to come. What if you get Giannis, I guarantee a title next year, however after that you have 12 years of no playoffs. Do you make the trade?”
This stark warning highlights the steep price of acquiring Giannis. A roster featuring Antetokounmpo alongside Curry, Butler, and Green would undoubtedly be a powerhouse next season, potentially securing a championship. However, the trade would likely gut the Warriors’ future assets, leaving them with minimal depth and no draft picks or young talent to sustain success beyond the veteran stars’ careers. With Curry, Butler, and Green in the twilight of their careers, and Giannis unlikely to remain with a depleted roster once they retire, the move could lead to a prolonged rebuild—a daunting prospect for a franchise accustomed to contending.
“What it would take to have Giannis, Steph, Jimmy, and Draymond all on the Warriors, you’re talking about a carcass. Those four and 12 Pat Spencers. And you’d have no assets for years to come…
What if you get Giannis, I guarantee a title next year, however after that you have…
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 2, 2025
Given this risk, the Warriors may reconsider their approach. Instead of betting everything on a blockbuster trade for Giannis, they could pursue a different star who requires fewer assets or focus on bolstering their depth to complement their current core. Upgrading the supporting cast around Curry, Butler, and Green could provide a more balanced and sustainable path to another championship next season without mortgaging the franchise’s future.
As the offseason unfolds, Golden State’s front office faces a delicate balancing act: chase immediate glory with a high-stakes trade or build a roster that can compete now while preserving hope for the years ahead. The shocking reality of a potential Giannis trade’s long-term cost might just push the Warriors to explore smarter, less reckless options.