Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Be ‘Turned Off’ By Milwaukee Bucks Trading Him To Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be “turned off” by the Milwaukee Bucks trading him to Stephen Curry‘s Golden State Warriors, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The Warriors are aggressively trying to trade for Antetokounmpo, who may not want to play for them.
Golden State is in eighth place in the West and Curry turns 38 in March.
“League sources say that Golden State is aware of recent rumblings that Antetokounmpo can’t be assumed to be as eager as he was once perceived to be to relocate to Stephen Curry’s town and team,” Fischer wrote. “How credible are such rumblings? Presumably only Giannis knows for sure. Yet I have heard from sources briefed on the situation that some in the know suspect Antetokounmpo could be turned off by the idea of joining an older team and/or facing the sort of criticism that Kevin Durant continues to absorb to this day about teaming up with Curry.”
The Warriors won the 2022 championship against the Boston Celtics. They haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs since Curry’s fourth NBA championship.
Antetokounmpo and Curry are with the same agency: Octagon. Antetokounmpo is ready to play for a new team and the Bucks are listening to trade offers for the future Hall of Famer.
However, since Antetokounmpo doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, he can’t force the Bucks to trade him.
The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Warriors are among the serious trade suitors for Antetokounmpo, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Warriors’ trade offer for Antetokounmpo could include Draymond Green instead of Jimmy Butler. NBA reporter Nick Friedell of The Athletic is reporting that the Warriors “have made it clear to Butler that they are going to stick by him as he begins a year-long rehab.” Butler is recovering from a torn right ACL.
If Golden State plans to keep Butler, the franchise will have to part ways with Green to acquire Antetokounmpo for salary-matching purposes.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.
Milwaukee has lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns, is tired of losing and is ready to start the next chapter of his NBA career.
Multiple teams are pursuing Antetokounmpo even though the forward is expected to miss the next four to six weeks with a right calf injury. Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
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