The NBA is entering a period of high tension. While the Golden State Warriors have leaked the framework of a massive trade aimed at acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks have chosen to play the patience card, creating a high-stakes standoff in the market.
According to reports, the Warriors have informed the league that they are “ready to pull the trigger” on a package that would include Jimmy Butler (via sign-and-trade or a contract trade), young prospect Jonathan Kuminga, and multiple first-round draft picks. Golden State’s ambition goes beyond landing the two-time MVP, as the proposal also seeks to include Bobby Portis Jr. in the deal to further solidify its rotation.
The handbrake: why Giannis has not been traded
Despite Golden State’s aggressive posture, the deal has not progressed at the pace many expected. A recent analysis published by Yahoo Sports explains the primary reason: Milwaukee is in no rush.
According to the report, the Bucks’ front office has set an “exorbitant” asking price that necessarily includes an elite young talent (blue-chip talent) and a surplus of draft capital. If those conditions are not met before the trade deadline, the franchise is prepared to wait until the offseason.
The reasoning behind this caution is both strategic and financial. Milwaukee owes first-round picks and swap rights in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2030, leaving the organization with virtually no margin for error. The Bucks need a historic return to justify parting ways with their franchise icon. In addition, Yahoo Sports notes that waiting until the summer would allow Milwaukee to operate in a market with clearer salary structures and a wider pool of teams holding available assets.
The injury factor and a calculated risk
Another element complicating the immediacy of a deal is the Greek star’s health. Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a right calf strain. While the Warriors appear willing to absorb the medical risk in order to maximize Stephen Curry’s championship window, the Bucks are unwilling to “sell low” while their superstar remains on the injury report.
The table is set: Golden State has the chips (Butler, Kuminga, picks), but Milwaukee controls the clock. The question is no longer whether the Warriors will make an offer, but whether the Bucks are willing to dance before the market’s final bell rings.
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