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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks congratulates Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors beat the Bucks at Chase Center on January 07, 2026.
The Golden State Warriors are strongly interested in acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. Reports indicate that Golden State would be thrilled to add Antetokounmpo by this trade deadline or during the offseason. The Warriors are expected to keep all of their trade assets until Giannis is off the market due to the importance of him potentially making them contenders.
Popular prediction market website Polymarket has listed the Warriors are the new favorites to land Antetokounmpo if he is traded at the deadline. The odds dictate the following most likely results for Giannis via Polymarket:
Not Traded: 55%
Warriors: 16.6%
Heat: 9.5%
Bulls: 7.0%
The shocking change of the Chicago Bulls taking the lead among new teams that could acquire Antetokounmpo came one day earlier to make fans wonder. A team like Chicago having strong odds out of nowhere often means that there could be something brewing there.
However, this quick change goes back to Golden State and the Miami Heat having the best chance to add the two-time MVP at the trade deadline. Multiple other teams are strongly interested in Giannis to ensure that Milwaukee will no shortage of offers to pick from if they choose to make the move now.
Why Warriors Want Giannis So Bad
The Warriors are in a difficult situation of Stephen Curry still being a superstar and having minimal help behind him to contend for another NBA Championship. Jimmy Butler was acquired last season to give Curry another star teammate, but his injury ruins any chance of success this and next season.
Golden State can only make so many realistic moves to add a true All-Star caliber player or better to team up with Curry roster is not good enough, and they must find an unlikely path to acquiring a superstar before Curry’s great run finally reaches an end.
Antetokounmpo is the only realistic player that can make sense since the Warriors have valuable future draft picks and a couple of young players Milwaukee could develop. The influence of Giannis may see his voice mattering, and he could easily pick playing with Curry above the handful of other potential options.
Could Other Favorites Top Warriors’ Offer?
Milwaukee also has a lot of say in Giannis’ next NBA home. Both sides of the Bucks and Antetokounmpo must be happy with a move since each hold a bit of leverage. Giannis must want to play there now and be open to a future extension for an opposing team to give up assets for him.
Golden State and other franchises must both appease the Bucks’ desires of a trade package and have enough left to make Antetokounmpo happy. The Warriors have the Curry appeal, but other teams could present enticing offers as well.
Miami is another favorite to land Giannis due to having young talents to trade and a situation to continue building a roster around the new star. Chicago has less to offer, but the market could sway him. Golden State fans should be happy that betting markets still believe in them as having the best chance to land Antetokounmpo now.
Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford
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