7-for-1 Trade Scenario: Giannis to Join Forces with Curry? A Wild Deal in the Making

The Golden State Warriors have never shied away from big dreams, and recent reports suggest their ownership might be eyeing the biggest move yet—pairing Stephen Curry with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Warriors' pursuit of Giannis has been a hot rumor for years, resurfacing every offseason, but the whispers are getting louder. Sam Amick, a prominent NBA insider, recently joined Warriors reporter KawaKimi on a podcast, where he discussed the potential for a seismic move.

Amick noted that while the possibility of Giannis leaving Milwaukee remains slim, every team in the league, including Golden State, is watching the Bucks closely. Amick emphasized the critical juncture Milwaukee finds itself in, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding Khris Middleton, who could become a free agent next summer. Warriors owner Joe Lacob, known for his bold ambitions, has long been rumored to covet Giannis.

This isn’t just idle speculation; rumors about Giannis potentially leaving Milwaukee have persisted for years, especially after the Bucks failed to win another championship following their 2021 triumph. Despite signing a max extension with the Bucks this past offseason, Giannis’ recent comments suggest his long-term future in Milwaukee could hinge on the team's ability to compete for titles.

Giannis and the Warriors: A Rumor That Won’t Die

The idea of Giannis teaming up with Curry and the Warriors has captivated the basketball world since 2021. Following the Bucks’ first-round exit last season—being upset by the eighth-seeded Miami Heat—the rumors have only intensified. The Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after the loss, and even with the blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard this offseason, questions remain about whether Milwaukee has done enough to keep Giannis content.

In past interviews, Giannis has hinted that he could seek a new challenge, expressing a desire to team up with NBA legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or Stephen Curry. He has also been open about his frustrations with Milwaukee, particularly its brutal winter weather, joking that it’s almost unbearable. While Giannis signed a three-year, $186 million max extension in 2023, his contract includes a player option in 2027, meaning he’s locked into Milwaukee for at least the next three seasons. However, as we’ve seen in recent years with stars like Paul George and Kevin Durant, long-term contracts don’t necessarily prevent a trade request.

In 2021, after winning the NBA Championship, Giannis famously said, “I like a challenge, what’s the next challenge? The next challenge might not be here.” Since then, the Bucks have faced more challenges than they’ve overcome, and Giannis has continued to express his desire to win at all costs. Following the firing of Budenholzer, Giannis didn’t mince words when he said, “I’m a Bucks player, but more importantly, I’m a winner. I want to win. If there’s a better place for me to win a championship, then I’ll go there.”

Milwaukee responded to Giannis’ public concerns by pulling off one of the biggest trades in franchise history—acquiring superstar Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard’s arrival injected life into the Bucks' championship hopes, but it also set the stage for a potentially volatile season. While Lillard and Giannis might be one of the most potent offensive duos in the league, the Bucks’ defense has noticeably declined. Last season, Milwaukee’s defensive rating was a lackluster 115.0, ranking 19th in the league, a far cry from their 2021 championship form when they were ninth in defense and fourth in net efficiency.

The defensive struggles were exacerbated by aging core players. Lillard is 34 and has three years remaining on his contract, worth $170 million. Khris Middleton is 33 with two years left on his deal, including a player option for the final year. Brook Lopez, who will turn 36 next season, is also entering a contract year, and despite Milwaukee’s attempts to trade him this summer, they haven’t found any takers willing to offer even a first-round pick. The Bucks’ aging core, combined with a declining defense, casts doubt on their ability to contend long-term. Should the Bucks falter again this season, Giannis might find himself questioning whether his best chance to win another championship lies elsewhere.

Warriors and the 7-for-1 Deal: Is It Feasible?

Warriors fans and analysts have already begun imagining what it would take to bring Giannis to Golden State, and one of the most talked-about trade proposals has come from FadeAway World, a media outlet known for generating bold ideas. In their hypothetical trade, the Warriors would send Jonathan Kuminga, rookie guard Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, and three unprotected first-round picks to the Bucks in exchange for Giannis.

Let’s break this down. While it’s tempting to imagine Curry and Giannis sharing the court, the proposed package might not be enough to sway Milwaukee. Consider the precedent: when Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, the Phoenix Suns had to part with four first-round picks, a pick swap, and a combination of key players, including Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. Those players were later flipped for even more assets, further raising the bar for future star trades.

Durant was 34 at the time of the trade, but Giannis, who turns 30 in December, would command an even larger haul. For the Bucks to consider moving one of the best players in the world, a deal would likely require a minimum of five first-round picks, along with young, high-upside talent. While the Warriors’ proposal includes Kuminga, Wiggins, and Payton, it’s doubtful Milwaukee would settle for that. Kuminga has shown flashes of potential, but he’s far from a proven star, and the Bucks would likely demand more established young talent in return.

The Warriors’ future draft capital is also a concern. Having spent most of the last decade contending for titles, Golden State’s first-round picks won’t hold as much value as those from rebuilding teams. If the Bucks are serious about trading Giannis, they’ll likely want assets from a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have an abundance of young players and draft picks. The Thunder could easily outbid the Warriors if Giannis were to become available, offering players like Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside a treasure trove of first-rounders.

Is Giannis Really Leaving Milwaukee?

While the Warriors might be dreaming of a Giannis-Curry partnership, the likelihood of Giannis leaving Milwaukee is still slim—at least for now. The Bucks just pulled off a massive trade to land Damian Lillard, pairing two of the NBA’s most dominant offensive forces in an attempt to return to championship contention. For Giannis, the Bucks’ success this season will be crucial in determining his future.

If Milwaukee manages to make a deep playoff run or win another championship, Giannis might be inclined to stay and continue building his legacy in Wisconsin. On the other hand, another disappointing season could force the Bucks into a rebuild, at which point Giannis might seriously consider requesting a trade.

It’s also worth noting that Giannis has expressed his appreciation for playing with Lillard, and the duo could form a devastating 1-2 punch in the Eastern Conference. However, if Milwaukee's defense continues to falter and their aging core struggles to keep up, the Bucks’ window of contention could close faster than expected.

For the Warriors, the prospect of landing Giannis is tantalizing, but it would require them to mortgage their future in a way that might not be sustainable. Trading away multiple young players and draft picks would leave Golden State with little room for error, especially with Curry and Klay Thompson both nearing the end of their prime. As we’ve seen in recent years, teams that go all-in on superstar trades often find themselves depleted of assets when those stars age or leave.

In the end, while the idea of Giannis joining forces with Curry is exciting, it remains highly speculative. The NBA landscape is constantly shifting, and while Giannis’ future in Milwaukee might be uncertain, the road to Golden State is far from clear.

For now, the Bucks are betting on the Giannis-Lillard duo to bring them back to glory. But if things don’t go as planned, and Giannis decides that his best chance to win another ring lies elsewhere, the Warriors and 29 other teams will be ready to make their move.