The Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors are starting to gain traction once again.
ESPN’s Shams Charania put out a report stating that the New York Knicks emerged as the only team Giannis Antetokounmpo desired outside of the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason.
The Knicks and Bucks engaged in trade talks for a window of time, but nothing materialized. Since the report, fans have been speculating about a potential Antetokounmpo trade.
Stephen A. Smith even speculated Giannis going to the Golden State Warriors which left fans buzzing.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesNBA fans have mixed opinions about Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Golden State Warriors
Smith talked about the idea of the Warriors landing Giannis and said “don’t let Giannis get to Golden State with Steph Curry.” Smith claimed if that happened “it wouldn’t be fair to the basketball world.”
He also said the Warriors would “coast to the [NBA] title.”
Giannis to the Warriors drew mixed reactions from fans. Some thought it would be total domination, while others questioned the fit.
“A pick and roll with Steph and Giannis would be the most unstoppable play in the NBA. There is 1 way to guard either of those 2 guys, double outside the 3p line for Steph or build a wall for Giannis. Teams would have to pick 1 guy to double while the other guy gets 40+ points,” one fan wrote.
However, another fan was skeptical of Giannis to Golden State and pinpointed the example of the Brooklyn Nets’ big three falling years ago. “What people said when Harden Kyrie and Durant were on same team. Same with every other unstoppable big 3 on paper. Just because it looks good on paper, doesn’t mean it’s gonna land when they put the ball in play,” the fan stated.
One other fan couldn’t help but imagine how dominant a Curry and Giannis pick-and-roll would be, saying, “how do you defend a Steph Giannis pnr with Steph being the screen setter.”
But of course the Western Conference is loaded and nothing is considered a lock as one fan pointed out, “Still gotta go thru Denver and OKC it’s not that easy in the west.”
What the Golden State Warriors could offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo
If the Milwaukee Bucks are open to trading Giannis, teams like the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be in the driver’s seat with their assets.
It would be tough for Golden State to create an appealing enough trade package when compared to other offers, but the Warriors do have Jonathan Kuminga who they could center a trade package around.
The Warriors have maintained their most valuable young asset and they could be ready to make a pitch for Antetokounmpo.
Other young players would have to be included in that deal like Moses Moody and even Brandin Podziemski, but if the Warriors want to go all-in on another superstar the opportunity could be there.