The Golden State Warriors may soon face a franchise-altering decision regarding Jonathan Kuminga in light of growing speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo could become available next summer.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Thursday that the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s latest remarks about his future suggest a possible trade request is looming — and that the league is already preparing for it.
Windhorst: “The League Is Preparing” for Giannis’ Exit
“[Antetokounmpo] just gave you the answer to that question,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s First Take. “He said six or seven months. He didn’t just pull that number out of thin air — he thought very carefully about how long it was until the end of the season. And what he basically said there is, ‘I’m going to give it another evaluation at the end of the season.’”
Windhorst added that the writing may already be on the wall for the Bucks.
“It is very clear to the whole league that Giannis’s situation in Milwaukee is probably short-term,” he said. “Could they surprise the league this year and have a great run in the Eastern Conference? I’ve seen stranger things. The Eastern Conference is not particularly strong, and that’s why Giannis is leaving the door open.
“While everybody’s being respectful, the league is preparing for the end of Giannis’s tenure in Milwaukee. That’s not an insult — that’s just the reality. And you can hear by Giannis’s own words and actions, he’s thinking about it in the back of his mind, too.”
Giannis Leaves Door Open
Antetokounmpo’s comments this week have only fueled speculation about his future.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Knicks and Bucks engaged in an “exclusive” round of trade discussions in August after Antetokounmpo identified New York as his preferred destination outside Milwaukee. Those talks, however, never advanced beyond the exploratory stage. And the Knicks’ exclusive window has officially closed, Charania later confirmed.
“First of all, I haven’t read that story,” Antetokounmpo said following Wednesday’s practice. “When the season starts, I try to get off social media and focus on my craft and the team. But yeah, I’ve said this many times: I want to be in a situation where I can win — and right now, I’m here. I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I’m here to lead this team to wherever we can go. It’s definitely going to be hard, but I’m here. So all the other extra stuff does not matter.”
Still, he stopped short of making a long-term commitment.
“I think I’ve communicated with my teammates and the people I respect that the moment I step on this court or in this facility, the rest does not matter,” he said. “Now, if in six, seven months I change my mind, I think that’s human too. You’re allowed to make any decision you want.”
Warriors Hold Key Asset in Kuminga
With Antetokounmpo’s future uncertain, the Warriors’ handling of Kuminga has gained new significance. Golden State signed the 23-year-old forward to a two-year, $48.5 million contract this offseason — but insisted on a team option rather than a player option for the second year.
That structure gives the Warriors full control over Kuminga’s immediate future — a move designed to preserve flexibility if a superstar becomes available.
If Golden State trades Kuminga before the February deadline, it risks losing a young player who has already drawn interest from Milwaukee. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Bucks inquired about Kuminga this offseason, but talks fell apart when they refused to include veteran big man Bobby Portis in a potential deal.
Golden State’s Path to Giannis
If Antetokounmpo hits the trade market next summer, the Warriors could activate their team option on Kuminga and use him as the centerpiece of a blockbuster offer. Golden State also holds multiple first-round picks and up to seven pick swaps, giving them one of the NBA’s deepest trade war chests among contenders.
Combined with the presence of Stephen Curry and a veteran core still capable of contending, the Warriors could emerge as one of the few teams able to meet both Milwaukee’s demands and Antetokounmpo’s desire to win immediately.
A Decision Looms
For now, both franchises are in a holding pattern — Milwaukee trying to contend with Giannis still on board, and Golden State walking a tightrope between youth and experience.
But as Windhorst noted, the league is bracing for change.
Whether the Bucks’ future MVP stays or moves on, Kuminga’s fate may end up intertwined with Antetokounmpo’s next chapter — and how the Warriors position themselves when the time comes could define their next era.
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