The NBA trade deadline on February 5 is approaching, drawing attention to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks player is the main focus, with several teams reportedly interested in acquiring him. Reports indicate that the Golden State Warriors have the strongest offer on the table.
However, despite being a fan of Stephen Curry, Antetokounmpo may not want to join him. NBA insider Jake Fischer mentioned that Antetokounmpo is leaning towards a different team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo aims to avoid Kevin Durant’s controversy
“League sources say that Golden State is aware of recent talks suggesting Antetokounmpo might not be as eager to move to Curry’s team as initially thought,” Fischer noted.
According to Fischer, Antetokounmpo is concerned about facing the same criticism that Kevin Durant experienced after he joined the dominant Warriors in 2016.
“It’s said some believe Antetokounmpo might be put off by the idea of joining an older team and dealing with the backlash that Durant still faces for teaming up with Curry,” Fischer added.
While this perspective has merit, it doesn’t fully align with Antetokounmpo’s reasons for wanting a trade. He has expressed a strong desire to win another championship, and playing alongside one of the best shooters in history would certainly help him achieve that.
Additionally, Durant joined a Warriors team that had just eliminated him in the playoffs and won 73 regular-season games. If Antetokounmpo joins the Warriors, he would be stepping into a team that’s struggling to regain its former success. The dynamics of two future Hall of Famers teaming up to rebuild a franchise are different from Durant joining an already legendary team.