Giannis Antetokounmpo is having a career season, leading the Bucks to the best record in the NBA. Naturally, "The Greak Freak" has caught the attention of the whole world, not to mention the defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors reportedly have "internally mused" about acquiring Antetokounmpo if Kevin Durant decides to leave after this season.
The 24-year-old Antetokounmpo, a Greek national of Nigerian decent, has been turning heads around this season. In 53 games, the Greak Freak is averaging 27.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Giannis is also shooting close to 60 percent from the field and 72 percent from the charity line. Antetokounmpo ranks sixth overall in the NBA in scoring and rebounding. The All-Star captain is also second in assists, second in blocks, and fourth in steals among power forwards.
And if the statistics don't prove that Giannis Antetokoumpo belongs to the NBA's current crop of superstars, the fact that The Greek Freak is being considered by the Warriors to replace Kevin Durant is a sort of validation that Antetokounmpo is already one of the best players in the NBA. The Warriors may feel that Giannis already has what it takes to fill Durant's very large shoes should KD leave the team this offseason. After all, Durant is a two-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time league MVP, a four-time scoring champion, and a two-time All-Star Game MVP.
Not that Giannis Antetokounmpo has to do it all to fit into the Warriors scheme of things. The Dubs has one of the deepest rosters in the league today. And by the time that Antetokoumpo becomes available in 2021, the Warriors would still have Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (possibly Klay Thompson too) in their roster.
The Golden State Warriors is no stranger when it comes to building a super-team. And if Kevin Durant walks, it seems like the Golden State Warriors already has this plan in mind. While it is nearly impossible (not to mention unfair to the other NBA teams) for the Warriors to add Antetokounmpo to their plethora of superstars, recent reports suggest that the Dubs have already discussed this internally.
The acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo may be a pipe dream at the moment, but the fact that they have "internally mused" about the improbable addition of The Greak Freak in 2021 means that the Dubs are planning to continue their dominance for as long as the team could.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, there are a number of reasons why the Golden State Warriors may be able to add Giannis Antetokounmpo to their roster. One reason is that Antetokounmpo and Curry are both represented by the same agency, Octogon. In addition, the Greak Freak and Chef Curry also "share a mutual admiration" which resulted in them picking each other as their number one picks in the last two editions of the NBA All-Star Game.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is set to have the most interesting free agency season in recent memories. KD is widely regarded as a top-5 player in the league and there will be no shortage of suitors for KD this summer. This early, Durant has already been linked to a number of teams. There was even a viral video that features Durant and Kyrie Irving - with the latter allegedly trying to recruit Durant to join him in moving to the New York Knicks.
If Kevin Durant does leave, then the Warriors may have to look for elsewhere to bolster its roster. Per Frank Isola of The Athletic, a team insider admits that the Warriors front office has no idea about Durant's plan for the offseason. That being said, if Durant does indeed walk, it would be safe to assume that Golden State will set its sights elsewhere and it might as well be on the current MVP front-runner Giannis Antetokounmpo.
One thing that marks a good organization is that it has the ability and proficiency to cover its bases. It also needs to have foresight for preparing for different and every conceivable eventuality. And the Golden State Warriors, it seems, is cut from the same mold of these successful companies.
No matter how truly unlikely it is for the Dubs to snag Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021, and whether or not Kevin Durant leaves, the Dubs, it seems, already has a backup plan in place. However, in reality, "internally musing" about adding The Greek Freak and actually acquiring him is as improbable as the Phoenix Suns winning the 2019 NBA championship. The Dubs may not be able to land Antetokounmpo, but it is safe to assume that the Warriors are already planning that far ahead.
