A detailed analysis of the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis: What assets can they offer? What does it mean for the Curry era?

On January 29th Beijing time, the Bucks have listed Giannis for trade, and the Warriors are among the potential suitors for the Greek superstar. Team reporter Slater outlines the four main questions surrounding the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis as follows—

What assets can the Warriors offer to land Giannis?

According to league sources speaking to ESPN, the Warriors have contacted the Bucks in the past week, clearly expressing strong interest in Giannis. They have also pledged to present a sincere offer regardless of the status of Giannis’s calf injury recovery or his return timeline.

It remains unclear whether Giannis has included the Warriors on his preferred trade destination list. But like all superstars about to qualify for contract extensions, his personal willingness is crucial in this potential deal. Last February, trade talks for Kevin Durant collapsed because Durant explicitly stated he did not want to reunite with the Warriors. Therefore, the Warriors must first gauge Giannis’s stance to ensure that even if they are not his first choice, he is willing to join forces.

However, the initiative in this trade still firmly lies with the Bucks. They can choose to complete a deal within the next week or wait until this summer when more potential suitors are available in the trade market. If the Bucks decide to act soon, the Warriors will be among the active bidders, and their draft pick package is considered one of the more attractive offers. League executives generally agree that the earlier the Bucks move, the higher the Warriors’ chances of winning the bidding war.

The Warriors can offer up to four first-round picks in the trade: unprotected picks in 2026, 2028, 2032, and a first-round pick in 2030.—The 2030 pick is protected for the top 20 selections (this pick was part of the compensation owed to the Washington Wizards in the Jordan Poole-for-Chris Paul trade). Due to the Bucks’ own draft pick trading restrictions, they can only receive one additional pick swap in this deal.

What are the alternative options?

Sources within the team reveal that if the Warriors ultimately fail to sign Giannis, no other players currently available in the trade market are worth giving up comparable assets.

The Warriors previously showed some interest in Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, but league sources say Pelicans GM Joe Dumars and the management team led by Troy Weaver have taken a firm stance, unwilling to part with most of their young core players, leading to stalled negotiations.

There are rumors that the Warriors are also eyeing several mid-tier players, such as Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. and Heat’s Andrew Wiggins, but team sources have dismissed these speculations: One source explicitly stated that the Warriors have never engaged, nor plan to engage, in talks with the Heat regarding Wiggins’s return.

What does this mean for Kuminga?

Although Kuminga himself wants to leave the Warriors for a new environment with more stable playing time, Dunleavy has made it clear since summer that he will not easily let Kuminga go unless the trade return meets expectations.

Before Butler’s injury, the Warriors’ management preferred to use Kuminga in a trade for a rotation player with a shorter contract to boost the team’s competitiveness this season.

However, Butler’s absence not only shattered the team’s championship hopes (unless a blockbuster trade is made) but also raised Kuminga’s standing—he has gone from a fringe rotation player to a key contributor expected to play 20 to 25 minutes per game.

“After Butler’s injury, there’s no doubt Kuminga will see more playing time,” Kerr told ESPN in an interview. “He will take on an important role in the team. So I hope he recovers quickly from his minor bone bruise. This is a great opportunity for him, and we urgently need him and the energy he brings.”

The Warriors are still testing the trade market for Kuminga, but sources say that since Butler’s injury, the likelihood of trading Kuminga has decreased. He holds a $24.3 million player option for this summer and has a clearer path to playing time on the team, which will not only enhance his value but also potentially lead to a mutually beneficial outcome for both him and the Warriors.

What does this signify for the closing phase of the Curry-Kerr era?

Currently, the Warriors hold a 27-22 record, ranking eighth in the Western Conference, sitting in the play-in tournament zone— a position they have frequently occupied over the past five years.

“Our goal has never changed; it’s still to compete for the championship,” Kerr said. “But it’s clear the team’s ceiling isn’t what it used to be. Butler is one of the league’s elite players, and we believed that as long as we made the playoffs, we had a chance to replicate last year’s comeback.”

“But with Butler’s injury, the difficulty of repeating such a miracle obviously increases significantly. Even so, we must give our all to fight for a playoff spot because anything is possible once you reach the postseason.”

Curry will turn 38 this March, and his championship window is gradually closing.

Kerr has always believed that squandering valuable assets for minor, inconsequential upgrades is unwise for the team. However, it’s clear that the coaching staff and players hope to make a reinforcement during the February trade window—as long as the cost is reasonable. .

“It depends on the decisions of Mike and Joe Lacob (the Warriors’ owner),” Kerr said. “I only have one year left on my contract, and the future is uncertain. I’ve always felt they should make the choice that benefits the team most. After all, we still have Stephen Curry, who remains at his peak. If there is any way to provide Curry with more support, we should try. Of course, how exactly to do that depends on what’s available in the market and what price we must pay—those factors require careful consideration.”

Kerr did not seek a contract extension before this season started. He believes that having an open-ended future is the healthiest situation for both himself and the team. He says he remains undecided about returning for his 13th season coaching the Warriors.

“Let’s wait until the season ends and then see if everyone’s thoughts align,” Kerr said. “If our goals match, we’ll continue together; if not, we’ll part on good terms. The final decision will depend on how this season finishes and the team’s future plans, all of which must be considered. Joe and the management have a lot to weigh right now. This period is a critical and unpredictable time for the entire team.”