New Report on Warriors' Trade Pursuit for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly preparing for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade scenario with the Milwaukee Bucks

Dec 31, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors have notably been the only NBA team not to make a trade or free agent signing this offseason, and that is mainly because of one player holding everything up.

The Warriors have, unfortunately, had to deal with Jonathan Kuminga this summer, who is sitting in restricted free agency and in a very complicated situation. Not only is Kuminga asking for far too much money, but he simply does not want to return to Golden State, and the Warriors seem to reciprocate that feeling.

Kuminga’s camp want a big deal in the $30M+ range and don’t want to be back with Warriors.

Golden State wants a small deal in $20M range where they can flip him because there’s no market.

Dubs still holding out that a S&T with Bulls can happen. Ayo Dosunmu is a good player. https://t.co/YTpZxhIqKw

— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 19, 2025

Kuminga's situation has been very drawn out, and there is no end in sight, but the Warriors are playing it close to the chest for one huge reason. The San Francisco Standard's Tim Kawakami reports that the Warriors want to have as many assets as possible, just in case Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks heat up.

"There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value: Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up," Kawakami wrote.

The Warriors don’t want to give Jonathan Kuminga away for less than his full trade value because they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up, per @timkawakami

(https://t.co/Cnht9cjjdH) pic.twitter.com/8Iycd2KTG5

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 25, 2025

Of course, though, the Warriors are just being a hopeful and smart team.

"That doesn’t mean the Warriors expect Giannis to ask to leave the Bucks or that they expect him to signal that the Bay Area is his preferred destination," Kawakami continued. "...But the possibility exists that Giannis could want out and could tell the Bucks that they should trade him to the Warriors."

Jan 23, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Antetokounmpo is a generational talent and two-time NBA MVP, so any team that feels like there is even a slim possibility of trading for him is certainly going to hold onto their assets in case that scenario comes to life.