The window is narrowing in Golden State. And this time, the pressure is not coming from a playoff loss or a contract deadline. According to a report from The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors are staring at a “now or never” moment in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The sense around the league is not that a deal is imminent, but that the Warriors’ ability to make a competitive offer is peaking right now. If they wait, the leverage disappears.

That urgency carries a cost. And it places Draymond Green directly in the line of fire. Golden State can currently put together a package that is difficult to match. Per The Athletic, the Warriors can offer four first-round picks immediately, along with young rotation pieces like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, both of whom align with Milwaukee’s long-term timeline.

Financially, the structure works without complicated maneuvering. A Jimmy Butler–Giannis Antetokounmpo framework clears the necessary salary and opens the door for draft-heavy compensation. From there, draft control becomes the centerpiece.

Golden State can offer outright firsts in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, plus swap rights extending across seven seasons. Those distant picks matter. By 2030 and beyond, Stephen Curry could be retired, and the Warriors may be well past contention. For Milwaukee, that future volatility is the appeal.

The flip side is age and timeline alignment. Giannis turns 32 at the start of next season, forcing the Bucks to consider how realistic a championship run in Golden State would be without Curry anchoring the roster deep into the deal.

Milwaukee could also raise the price. Kuminga may be required as a high-ceiling centerpiece, with additional draft equity layered on top. The Bucks could even look to attach the Kyle Kuzma contract as part of a broader financial reset.

At the same time, the Warriors’ picks are projected to land late in the near term. That reality weakens their position once other teams unlock more draft flexibility in the offseason.

Warriors’ need for Giannis Antetokounmpo risks Draymond Green’s future

This is where the risk becomes personal. Anthony Slater reports that as Golden State intensifies its Giannis pursuit, Stephen Curry is the only untouchable name. Every other contract is available for the right deal, including Draymond Green.

Green is entering the final year of his contract next season and holds a player option. He earns $25.8 million, which makes his salary a critical matching piece against Giannis’ $54.1 million number. From a cap standpoint, Green is not just movable. He is useful.

Slater also reported that Green is “available for the right package.” Green addressed that reality directly on Friday. “I’ve been here for 14 years. I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving,” Green said. “But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. So it is what it is. I ain’t losing no sleep though. I slept great last night.”

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He later added: “I’ll be the same as I always am. My phone is always on. I’m always willing to collaborate in any way I can.”

Golden State’s front office is no longer weighing possibilities in the abstract. The Jimmy Butler gamble collapsed after his ACL tear. Curry is deep into his 17th season. The draft cupboard, for now, is full.

That combination explains why a Giannis swing feels less like speculation and more like a defining fork in the road. If the Warriors move aggressively, Draymond Green may be the price of one last title push. If they hesitate, the window closes quietly, and the dynasty ages out on its own terms. Either way, the next decision will reveal what the Warriors value most.