Landon Buford
The Golden State Warriors had a down 2019- 20 season, to say the least, with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry out with injuries. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant decided to head to Brooklyn in a sign and trade. The Warriors agreed to send him, and a protected first-round draft pick to the Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier, and Treveon Graham.
Russell didn’t stay in the Bay Area for very long as the Warriors would ship Russell to Minnesota. In exchange for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 protected first-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski later reported that Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman would also be headed to the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves and the Warriors will pick first and second in the upcoming draft after Minnesota beat Golden State out in the draft lottery. The Warriors are now weighing their options regarding the second overall pick.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will headline the 2020-21 free agency class; however, after the Bucks game five loss to the Heat, Antetokounmpo indicated he wouldn’t request a trade.
“It’s not happening. That’s not happening,” he said to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. “Some see a wall and go in [another direction]. I plow through it. We just have to get better as a team, individually and get right back at it next season.”
According to ESPN’s 犀利士 ;Tim Bontemps, numerous sources “are adamant that the Bucks won’t trade” the 2019 league MVP if he doesn’t sign the supermax.
The Warriors have been a rumored destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo ever since Kevin Durant’s departure to the Nets. Looking at the Warriors trade assets, Would the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, the Timberwolves’ top-three protected 2021 first-rounder, two future unprotected first-round selections, and Draymond Green result in an agreement?
If you ask Ryen Russillo ‘ That’s a ‘hard no.’ “
“I love Draymond, I love his effort,” Ryen Russillo said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” “[But] the idea that he would be a No. 2 [offensive option] with Khris Middleton — I don’t like him as much in an offense without those guys [Steph Curry and Klay Thompson] running around in the backcourt.
“This draft stinks, [so] that’s a ‘no.’ That’s a ‘hard no.’ “
Andrew Wiggins was also in that scenario, but Russillo didn’t like the idea.
However, A package of Wiggins, this year’s second overall pick, and Minnesota’s top-three protected 2021 first-round pick and a couple of other players for salary cap purposes could land Damian Lillard.
A source close to the five-time All-Star shared that he would be interested in joining the Warriors.
The source also revealed that there was also a chance a few years ago for Lillard to join the Warriors and form a super team that would have featured Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Lillard. Instead, the Warriors elected to sign Kevin Durant.
In August, former Suns coach and Lillard’s former teammate, Earl Watson, revealed that Dame Dolla turned down a chance to play with a super team before his last extension.
“Since @Dame_Lillard won’t say it, I will! Before Dame’s last extension he was approached to join a super team! He immediately called me & I’m assuming it’s because he respects me! I asked him, “what do you want to do”?! Cont…”
Lillard has been on the record stating that he is very comfortable In Portland, and the grass is not always greener on the other side.
“The grass ain’t always greener. For me, I feel like we can build something and get it done in Portland. I really believe that. I don’t just say it to say it.”
