Milwaukee and Golden State Urged to Plan Ahead

Teams should focus on long-term success rather than short-term fixes, experts say.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:47am

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According to a recent article, the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors should be thinking more broadly about how to give their superstar players one more chance at a championship in the 2026-27 season, rather than making shortsighted moves at the trade deadline for quick fixes that may not ultimately help much.

Why it matters

The article suggests that the Bucks and Warriors, two of the NBA's top contenders, should resist the temptation to make desperate moves at the trade deadline and instead focus on building a sustainable path to contention in the long run, even if their championship window may be closing in the short term.

The details

The article argues that the Bucks and Warriors don't need to make rash decisions to try to salvage the current season, as star players like Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday are unlikely to become available. Instead, the teams should strategize about how to position themselves for success in the 2026-27 season, when their current superstars may have one more chance at a title.

  • The article was published on January 27, 2026.

The players

Milwaukee Bucks

An NBA team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that has been a top contender in recent years.

Golden State Warriors

An NBA team based in the San Francisco Bay Area that has been a dynasty in the 2010s and 2020s.

Kevin Durant

A superstar NBA player who has won multiple championships but is unlikely to become available via trade.

Jrue Holiday

An All-Star NBA player who is also unlikely to be traded, according to the article.

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What they’re saying

“Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday aren't walking through that door.”

— Rick Pitino

The takeaway

The article suggests that the Bucks and Warriors should resist the temptation to make short-term moves at the trade deadline and instead focus on building a sustainable path to contention in the long run, even if their championship window may be closing in the near future.