The Golden State Warriors appear well-positioned as the Milwaukee Bucks begin listening to trade offers for two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Milwaukee has signaled openness to discussing Antetokounmpo deals but is holding firm on a steep return centered on elite young talent and draft capital — a threshold the Warriors can meet.
“Multiple teams have received a sense that the Bucks are more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers between now and the deadline,” Charania reported Wednesday. “Milwaukee has indicated to interested teams that the organization is not in a rush to complete a move and is willing to navigate Antetokounmpo’s future in the offseason if its believed price point of a blue-chip young talent and/or a surplus of draft picks isn’t met.”
Golden State Fits Milwaukee’s Criteria
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.
Milwaukee’s framework aligns directly with Golden State’s asset profile.
The Warriors control up to four future first-round picks, along with multiple pick swaps, giving them one of the deepest draft war chests among contending teams. They also possess Jonathan Kuminga, a 22-year-old former No. 7 overall pick whose combination of age, upside and contract status fits the “blue-chip young talent” Milwaukee is seeking.
Kuminga’s role in Golden State has fluctuated this season, though his upside remains widely valued around the league.
Salary Matching Is Not a Major Obstacle
While Kuminga’s $22.5 million salary alone would not meet trade-matching requirements for Antetokounmpo, the Warriors have multiple paths to construct a compliant deal.
Golden State has historically been willing to aggregate salaries and absorb luxury-tax costs when pursuing championship-level talent. That financial flexibility separates the Warriors from several potential bidders that may possess draft capital but lack matching contracts or ownership appetite.
Warriors’ Aggressive History Supports a Big Swing
Since Kevin Durant’s departure, the Warriors have remained aggressive in chasing elite upgrades around Stephen Curry.
Last season, Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler at age 35 and immediately extended him to a two-year, $112 million contract, reinforcing ownership’s commitment to maximizing Curry’s championship window. A pursuit of Antetokounmpo would follow the same philosophy — consolidating future assets for immediate title contention.
Giannis’ Contract Timeline Shapes the Market
Antetokounmpo, 31, becomes eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension on Oct. 1. If no extension is reached, he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 by declining a $62.8 million player option.
That timeline gives Milwaukee leverage rather than urgency.
“The Bucks are not in a rush to complete a move,” Charania reported, noting the franchise is prepared to wait until the offseason if its price is not met. By doing so, Milwaukee could benefit from expanded draft availability and clearer cap flexibility across the league in June.
For teams like the Warriors, however, a delayed timeline could intensify competition, as more rivals would gain access to additional draft picks and trade flexibility in the offseason.
Warriors Among Best-Positioned Teams
Even with reports that Antetokounmpo may prefer destinations such as New York, Miami or Minnesota, any deal would first need to satisfy Milwaukee’s return requirements.
From an asset and salary standpoint, the Warriors are among the few contenders capable of presenting a package that meets the Bucks’ stated demands without stripping their roster beyond their core.
As trade discussions evolve, Milwaukee’s asking price has narrowed the field — and Golden State remains squarely within it.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bucks’ Giannis Asking Price Matches Warriors’ Trade Arsenal appeared first on Heavy Sports.