Warriors facing major obstacle in potential Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit
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Warriors facing major obstacle in potential Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Golden State Warriors have some serious interest in trading for 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Warriors have expressed how they would love to add Antetokounmpo to their roster, and while that is the case, actually getting to do so can be extremely difficult.
One of the major reasons for that is that they are financially handcuffed. In ESPN Bobby Marks' latest column, he explained the challenge the Warriors face in trading for the Greek Freak.
"Golden State would be hard-pressed to cobble together enough matching salary and still have flexibility in adding to the roster. Because of the lack of sizable contracts beyond Curry and Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green and his $27.7 million salary would be required to make any Giannis deal work. Curry, Butler and Green constitute 79% of the Warriors' payroll next season, leaving six players (Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Al Horford, Will Richard and De'Anthony Melton) each earning less than $13 million. Green, Horford and Melton have player options and can't be traded unless they opt-in to their contracts."
Giannis- Warriors trade scenario would require massive shake-up
The few things the Warriors have on their side are the ablity of trading four first-round picks.
Now, as for the salaries, the best options the Warriors could throw at the Milwaukee Bucks are Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler, and multiple young players like Brandon Podziemski or Moses Moody.
The deal could truly only work if Antetokounmpo truly wants to go to the Bay Area, the Warriors want to break up their core (including Green), and if a third team comes in to help balance salary.
As for why it wouldn't work (and most likely won't) is due to the Warriors' salary-apron trap, Golden State lacks premium young assets compared to rivals and the deal overall would be extremely complex.
The Warriors have the assets to put together an offer, but it’s not exactly the cleanest or most straightforward package to build.
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