NBA Rumors: Warriors Want To Sign Forward, East Favorites Unconcerned

The Golden State Warriors began looking for the next piece of the puzzle to keep the dynasty running at full throttle for the next few years when they became aware that Kevin Durant could leave in free agency this summer – and that piece was Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Warriors front office, according to New York Times’ Marc Stein, have already discussed the possibility of trying to sign Antetokounmpo when he enters free agency in 2021, which will be an absolute blockbuster move. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all signed for the long-term it will instantly make them one of the top contenders yet again.

The chatter about a potential move increased after ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne indicated that the Warriors have always been admirers of Antetokounmpo and have thought about luring him to the Chase Center in San Francisco. It also helps that the Bucks forward and Curry are managed by the same agency and are firm friends off the court.

The Bucks, however, are not said to be too concerned about the prospect of losing Antetokounmpo to the Warriors in free agency. The reigning MVP has given no indication that he wants to leave Milwaukee and they are certain they can convince him to commit his long-term future.

The Bucks front office has confirmed that they plan to offer their star forward a super max deal worth $237 million over five years when he becomes eligible for it next summer and they are hoping he commits to them. Despite his love for Milwaukee, a desire to win could trump loyalty when the time comes to sign a new deal.

"Keeping Giannis, it's a focus obviously," one Bucks front-office source told Heavy.com's Sean Deveney. "But fighting the Warriors is not a focus. The Warriors are not the concern in the least. They'd have a long way to go to get him to Golden State, they'd have to give away a lot. He has never given any indication that he wants to leave Milwaukee. So a lot of that stuff, it is more chatter than anything."

Durant’s decision to leave in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets has seen the Warriors become the underdogs in the Western Conference after staying five seasons as the favorites. But power forward Green admitted that they relish the prospect of being underestimated and believes it is wrong to write off the finalists for the last five seasons.