Warriors Shift Focus After Giannis Pursuit Ends

Golden State turns to Kristaps Porzingis trade after failing to land Antetokounmpo

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Golden State Warriors have no plans to trade for another star player after their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo fell through ahead of the trade deadline. Instead, the team pivoted to acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks, addressing their need for size, shooting, and rim protection. With Porzingis on an expiring $30.7 million contract, the Warriors have gained financial flexibility to potentially chase Antetokounmpo again in the offseason.

Why it matters

The Warriors' failure to land Antetokounmpo was a significant setback, as the Greek Freak was seen as the missing piece to help the team return to championship contention. However, the Porzingis trade provides the Warriors with a talented big man who can complement their existing core, while also creating cap space for potential offseason moves.

The details

The Warriors were all-in on acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline, but received a "clear indication" from the Milwaukee Bucks that they would not send the superstar to the Bay Area. With Antetokounmpo out of reach, the Warriors pivoted to trade for Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks, addressing their need for size, shooting, and rim protection. The Porzingis trade was facilitated by the inclusion of Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, whose salaries were crucial for matching the cap requirements. However, the Warriors now lack the necessary assets to pursue another star player, with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler's contracts also posing challenges.

  • On February 5, 2026, the Warriors traded for Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks.
  • On the same day, NBA insider Brett Siegel reported that the Warriors received a "clear indication" from the Milwaukee Bucks that they would not send Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Bay Area.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A superstar forward for the Milwaukee Bucks who was the primary target of the Warriors' trade pursuit.

Kristaps Porzingis

A former Atlanta Hawks center who was acquired by the Warriors in a trade, addressing their need for size, shooting, and rim protection.

Jonathan Kuminga

A Warriors player whose $22.5 million contract was included in the trade for Porzingis, helping the Warriors match salaries.

Buddy Hield

A Warriors player whose $9.2 million contract was also included in the trade for Porzingis, further aiding the Warriors in matching salaries.

Draymond Green

A Warriors player whose $25.8 million contract could potentially be used in a trade, but would not be easy to move due to his player option for next season.

Jimmy Butler

A Warriors player whose $54.1 million contract could also be used in a trade, but his major injury makes it challenging to move.

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What they’re saying

“The Warriors have no other star-level players in sight for a trade.”

— Shams Charania, NBA Insider (Evan Sidery)

“It was Giannis Antetokounmpo or nothing, in terms of a splash move for Golden State at the deadline.”

— Evan Sidery, NBA Analyst (Twitter)

What’s next

The Warriors will now focus on finishing the season with their current roster, while maintaining financial flexibility to potentially pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo again in the offseason.

The takeaway

The Warriors' inability to land Giannis Antetokounmpo was a significant setback, but the Kristaps Porzingis trade provides them with a talented big man who can help address their needs. With Porzingis on an expiring contract, the Warriors have gained the financial flexibility to potentially make another run at Antetokounmpo in the offseason, as they continue their quest to return to championship contention.