Warriors Continue To Be Linked To Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III

The Golden State Warriors continue to be linked to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Jonathan Kuminga, who played really well on opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers, would likely be traded by the Warriors for Antetokounmpo or Murphy III.

“While so many have assumed that Kuminga would be traded by the February deadline, the truth is that the Warriors don’t see a lot of players out there whom they’d be willing to swap for him anytime soon,” Amick wrote. “There’s the one obvious name, per team sources, the big guy in Milwaukee (Giannis Antetokounmpo), whose future with the Bucks is uncertain. Any potential discussion about him coming to the Bay would certainly involve the prospect of Kuminga (and a whole lot more) going back to Milwaukee.

“From there, the name that continues to circulate is that of New Orleans Pelicans small forward Trey Murphy III. The fifth-year pro would add shooting and defense to a team that could still use more of both. His current contract runs through the 2028-29 season, topping out at $31 million in that final season, which would give the Warriors a long runway to make that particular partnership work. But if Kuminga plays like this — and, more specifically, how he played in that third quarter when he hit all five of his shots and had 13 points — then the answer might turn out to be in-house after all. These next few months will determine the direction of that sensitive situation.”

Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal with the Warriors to end his restricted free agency. The second year of the deal, which is a team option, is designed for Golden State — or another team if and when Kuminga is traded — to rip up and construct a new contract next offseason.

Antetokounmpo thought about requesting a trade from the Bucks this offseason. If Milwaukee gets off to a bad start this season, the NBA legend could ask out.

Murphy III will make $25 million this season, while Antetokounmpo will make $54.1 million.

The Bucks will only trade Antetokounmpo if he requests a trade.