Why Warriors' alleged botched execution of Lauri Markkanen trade opens their pathway to land Giannis Antetokounmpo
Steph Curry has repeatedly said he plans to retire with the Golden State Warriors. However, he has also reiterated several times that he wants to win more championships and stay competitive. While Golden State is just two years removed from its last title, the team has been on a downward spiral since then.
How to stop the fall? Bring in reinforcements around Curry.
Well, that’s the easiest answer but isn't really that simple to execute.
From all that has been reported, the Warriors have tried their best to get Curry all the help he wants but it simply hasn’t been good enough. As per NBC Sports Bay Area, they were the most aggressive team in a potential trade for Lauri Markkanen with the Utah Jazz. But a trade never came to fruition and Steph Curry remains without an All-Star running mate.
As per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Tony Jones and Anthony Slater, Golden State offered Utah Moses Moody along with multiple first-round, second-round draft picks and pick swaps. However, the Jazz weren’t interested if Brandin Podziemski wasn’t included.
With the Bay Area team reportedly refusing to add the second-year guard in any trade negotiations, the talks eventually died down. The Athletic wrote:
"Talks between the Warriors and Jazz were most alive in early July but became sporadic in recent weeks, league sources said. In the last several days, the Warriors have been resigned that a Markkanen long-term extension in Utah is a foregone conclusion, team sources said.
“No team met the Jazz’s enormous value for their centerpiece forward, and rival executives understood the only way Utah would consider a proposal was if it was overwhelming."
While Golden State did push for a trade, it simply refused to go all the way in. Over the past few years, majority team owner Joe Lacob has reportedly spoken about a two-timeline project that sets the teams for success even after the current veterans, including Curry, retire.
While the failure to trade for Lauri Markkanen — who eventually signed a five-year, $238 million extension with Utah — probably sets the Warriors for short-term failure, it does leave the door open for other players. There have been talks about trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo before and they have resurfaced this offseason.
Antetokounmpo is in the midst of a five-year, $228.2 million contract. Not getting Markkanen leaves Golden State with assets that it could use to trade for Antetokounmpo in the future.
The Milwaukee Bucks paired the Greek Freak with Damian Lillard last season but the team failed to go past the first round of the playoffs. If the Bucks have another disappointing season, Antetokounmpo could want out as he looks to add to his one title.
Golden State has several young players in Jonathan Kuminga, Moody and Podziemski. Kuminga and Moody are in the final year of their rookie deals. If the team extends them and they are able to elevate their game in the upcoming season, the Bucks could see value in acquiring the duo.
The Warriors, of course, would need to add draft picks and a player such as Andrew Wiggins to match the salary. The timing, though, could work in their favor as Milwaukee forward Khris Middleton has a player option next offseason. Another bad year for the Bucks and he could want out as well.
While Warriors fans must be unhappy with the way the team allegedly handled the Lauri Markkanen trade talks, the failure to sign him does land it with the opportunity to go after an even bigger star in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks superstar has been a longtime admirer of Curry, which sparked rumors of the two teaming up in the first place.
How likely is a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Warriors?
If all the stars align, Giannis Antetokounmpo could end up being teammates with Steph Curry. However, it’s a long shot and a lot needs to happen in the upcoming season, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks having another disappointing year. Since winning the title in 2021, Milwaukee has struggled in the playoffs, so a continuation of that isn’t a far-fetched idea.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick also said that this is a probable trade that fans should keep an eye out for:
“One that I think is just always gonna be monitored around the NBA is if the wheels fall off the Bucks. We know that Joe Lacob has had dreams of Giannis coming the Warriors’ way for a very long time. Again, unlikely, but Khris Middleton is gonna be a free agent next summer… I think Giannis is worth monitoring.”
Whatever happens in the next offseason, Steph Curry is left fending for himself in the upcoming season. The Warriors lost Klay Thompson in free agency but signed De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield. Will that be enough to keep their star point guard happy or will Curry call for an ultimatum and ask the team to trade for a superstar?
Whatever happens, all we know at this point is that both Golden State and Milwaukee are set for key seasons that could decide each team’s trajectory for the next few seasons at least.