Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade saga, the drama that has played out this whole season, is at a critical juncture now. If a move happens at all, it has to happen quickly since the trade deadline is just a day away. The Golden State Warriors were reportedly in the running, especially after superstar Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury. That’s not the case anymore.
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The possibility of seeing Giannis in a Golden State uniform is slowly becoming a distant dream. The Dubs do not seem to possess the assets to trade for Giannis as other bidders.
It was also reported that Antetokounmpo is very protective of his legacy and doesn’t want the same smoke that Kevin Durant got back in 2016 for teaming up with Stephen Curry and winning two rings. There also seems to be a new narrative around Draymond Green.
The four-time NBA Champion might have been an essential piece in the Dubs acquiring Giannis if some sort of deal was made. However, the Bucks had no interest in Green.
Insider Marc Stein reported that the Bucks “have shown a reluctance to acquiring Draymond Green in any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade package” and that “Golden State would need to find another team willing to send Milwaukee draft capital to take on Green.”
The Bucks have shown a reluctance to acquiring Draymond Green in any potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade package, per @TheSteinLine.
Golden State would need to find another team willing to send Milwaukee draft capital to take on Green. pic.twitter.com/le3cNrxrQM
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 4, 2026
Green is a four-time All-Star, a former DPOY, and one of the biggest contributors in Golden State’s dynasty run. Any team not wanting Dray seems ridiculous. But then, we are talking about Green, who is not an easy player to have on the roster.
Green constantly gets into confrontations. He hurts his team at times due to poor decision-making, and the negative press he receives, whether from a comment, an outburst on the court, or a wild outtake on his podcast, is almost a weekly occurrence. Also, Green is 35. His prime years are behind him.
At this point, the Giannis chatter feels less about wild Warriors scenarios and more about where a real basketball fit exists. Minnesota is starting to look like the quiet favorite.
Pairing Giannis with Anthony Edwards gives him a young superstar partner and a legitimate shot to bring the Wolves their first NBA title, which would do wonders for his legacy. That kind of move feels more like building something than chasing rings.
If Giannis cares as much about the story of his career as people say, helping deliver a first-ever Finals win in Minnesota might be louder than any superteam move elsewhere. As for the Bucks, they are left in an unwinnable situation.
They are not getting it done for Giannis, and both sides seem ready to depart. But at least they are smart enough to know that if the Warriors really want the Greek Freak, they will have to send Dray elsewhere for capital.
