It's no secret that the Golden State Warriors are hoping to pry superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo away from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer. However, doing so may require a major sacrifice.
It may cost them long-time Warriors player Draymond Green. Green has been a member of Golden State for 14 seasons, but to trade for Giannis, it might require the Warriors to trade him to match salaries.
Considering the Warriors were willing to part ways with him at the trade deadline, it seems likely that he could be on the move if the Bucks agree to a Giannis trade.
Should the Warriors trade Draymond Green for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
A potential Giannis trade could be centered around Moses Moody, Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Gui Santos, plus three or four first-round picks.
If the Warriors want to hold onto Jimmy Butler, then the only way to make a Giannis trade happen is to include Draymond. Trading a player who is set to return for a 15th season with their team is almost unprecedented.
But if that's what it takes to land a top-5 NBA player, then, well, that's what it takes. It's painfully obvious that Golden State has gone about as far as they possibly can with Steph Curry and Draymond.
Will the Warriors land Giannis from the Milwaukee Bucks?
Shaking things up by trading for Giannis could give the Dubs new life. It might not put them on the same level as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, but it should at least make them a top-six playoff team in the West. That would be a major accomplishment in and of itself.
If rumors are true that Giannis prefers to stay in the East, they may face an uphill battle to land him. Then again, it's not entirely up to him. The Bucks have a say. If they are impressed by the Warriors' offer, then they can simply trade him to Golden State.
It's hard to imagine Giannis passing up on a chance to play with Curry in the Bay Area. There are few better basketball situations in the NBA than that. That move would force the Warriors to retool their roster with only Giannis, Curry, Butler, and Al Horford remaining post-trade in that scenario.
However, making that deal could well be worth it. Especially if it means they will be in title contention again.
