Once again, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks seem to be at odds.
The Greek superstar felt disrespected by the team’s decision to shut him down for the season after he was fully healthy, and he was non-committal about signing a contract extension.
While the back and forth between him and the organization and all the trade rumors are getting old, this time might be different.
That’s why, if he’s going to be made available, the Golden State Warriors desperately need to make a run at him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors need each other
The Warriors were in talks to trade for Antetokounmpo midway through the season. Ultimately, keeping Draymond Green proved to be the right choice, as he turned back the clock with some of the best defense of his career while Antetokounmpo got hurt.
That should make GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. pivot and work a deal around Jimmy Butler instead. He won’t have Jonathan Kuminga — and likely Moses Moody — to sweeten the deal, but he has valuable draft picks.
Antetokounmpo would benefit greatly from Steve Kerr’s free-flowing offense. Stephen Curry’s gravity draws way too much defensive attention, and he’d have too many wide-open looks at the rim.
While he’s a non-shooter like Green, a defensive frontcourt of him, Green and Kristaps Porzingis would keep opposing offenses in shambles. Kerr isn’t used to playing jumbo lineups, but that would give him three switchable and long defenders who can also hold their ground in the perimeter.
Curry’s latest masterpiece against the Los Angeles Clippers proved that even when he’s not 100 percent healthy, he can give the team a chance against anybody.
It’s time the Warriors make a statement and give him another superstar to work with.
As for Antetokounmpo, joining the Warriors would give him a better shot at a championship than playing for the Miami Heat, another team that could be interested in his services.
This looks like a match made in heaven, and the Warriors’ previous interest in him suggests they might look to pursue him again in the offseason.
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