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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade market is beginning to form, whether the Milwaukee Bucks want to say it or not.
If the Bucks open up the lines for teams beyond the New York Knicks to make an offer, you can bet the Golden State Warriors’ front office will probably be near the front of the line, looking to get Steve Kerr another star to work with.
But the Warriors don’t have to find themselves in Giannis-or-bust mode. In fact, Antetokounmpo doesn’t even have to be their only trade target from Milwaukee.
If the Bucks decide that cutting ties with the superstar big man is the right move, that could signal the beginning of a rebuild in Milwaukee. The domino effect could lead to the Bucks considering moving on from somebody like Myles Turner.
Should Golden State Consider Myles Turner?
The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer recently discussed the state of the NBA trade market, going over the popular narratives surrounding Giannis, Zion Williamson, and the never-ending Jonathan Kuminga saga.
Fischer noted that Kuminga for Turner would be “an interesting potential salary match” for the Warriors.
“Don’t forget that the Warriors have shown some real interest in Turner in the past, according to league sources, dating to well-chronicled trade discussions between Golden State and Indiana that included various concepts involving Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins and Buddy Hield,” Fischer wrote.
The Warriors’ interest in adding a high-profile big is well-known. The team had hopes that Al Horford could be a low-cost temporary filler, but the former Boston Celtics center has struggled to live up to the expectations so far.
Dating back to the summertime, the Warriors have had their eyes on the Giannis situation. Like many others, the Warriors are seemingly holding out hope to get a shot at landing the multi-time MVP.
But Turner would be a decent secondary option. For starters, he’s a long-term piece. After hitting the free agency market over the summer, Turner signed a four-year, $108 million deal with the Bucks. His fourth season in 2028 is a $29 million player option. He’ll be 32 by then.
Since joining the Bucks, Turner’s numbers are down. In 25 games, he has posted averages of 12.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. Last year, he averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 72 games with the Indiana Pacers.
Antetokounmpo and Turner are two different calibers. With that, they come at different costs. Antetokounmpo is likely to generate several players and many assets, while acquiring Turner wouldn’t have to reach historic territory.
The Warriors have underachieved so far, but they aren’t desperate for a massive move. Turner is an intriguing fit that should be on Golden State’s radar if the Antetokounmpo dream is too far fetched.
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