Warriors All In for Giannis Antetokounmpo as Bucks Decide

Merlin sees Golden State emerging as the frontrunner to land Giannis if the Bucks decide to move him at the Feb. 5 deadline. ESPN’s Anthony Slater wrote, "The quicker Milwaukee acts, league executives believe, the better chance Golden State has to win the bidding war." The Warriors could offer future first-round picks and players; Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga are named as potential pieces, though Butler just suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Merlin notes the trade ledger and the heart of the team. Golden State could put up picks in 2028, 2030 and 2032 and use Butler as "the clear salary match," while sources say they "are not actively shopping his contract." Keeping Butler and Kuminga would blunt their chances, so a package with Draymond Green, rotation pieces or Brandin Podziemski could be the path. Adding Giannis would remake the Warriors into a long-term title threat, but it will cost heavily.