The Wins and Losses of Giannis and Curry's Failed Reunion

Imagine how dominant a team would be if it had two NBA megastars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, at the same time. Opposing players would surely be overwhelmed. While Curry terrorizes the opponent's basket from beyond the three-point line, Giannis poses a threat with his physical presence in the paint. Their strengths complement each other.

That scenario is rumored to have the potential to materialize in the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Giannis has opened the door to a move from the Milwaukee Bucks. Many teams are interested, including the Golden State Warriors, who are actively seeking a partner for Curry. The Bucks are also waiting for the best offer.

Regrettably, the scenario ended in an anticlimax after the player exchange deadline passed on Friday (6/2/2026) early morning WIB. The Bucks rejected all incoming offers, including from the Warriors. Giannis, who is not in a hurry to leave, remains with the team at least until the end of this season.

The Warriors offered the best possible trade package. They were willing to send four first-round draft picks, as well as talented youngster Jonathan Kuminga and veteran Draymond Green. However, that wasn't enough to sway general manager Jon Horst, the Bucks' decision-maker.

Apparently, according to The Athletic, the Bucks never considered a Giannis trade as a primary option. They were simply trying to address the player's desires. "I want to be here, but I want to be here to win," Giannis said before the deadline, expressing disappointment with the club's lack of ambition.

Coincidentally, there were no offer packages that matched the value of the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player. The Bucks opted for a realistic choice by delaying their decision. If they hold out until the mid-season break, they could potentially receive more advantageous offers from many teams that are already prepared for a roster overhaul.

The Bucks are also very hopeful of retaining the 31-year-old player. After 13 years of service, Giannis has become the biggest icon for the club. Therefore, the Bucks are working to build a stronger team to assist Giannis in competing next season.

The key lies with Giannis. If he does not sign a four-year contract extension worth 275 million USD (approximately 4.63 trillion IDR) this October, Giannis will only have one year left on his contract. The Bucks must begin to prepare for the departure of the player should this scenario occur.

For Giannis, there is no better option than to stay with the Bucks. "Let's set the Bucks aside for a moment. Let's talk about the city itself, the memories I have created here. My four children were born here. My father is buried in this city. I built my mother's house just 10 seconds away from my house here," he said.

Failing to acquire Giannis, the Warriors turned to an emergency option. They acquired Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks. The Warriors only sent Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield in exchange, not as much as the Giannis package, but the return was also less impressive.

Porzingis, 30, already has NBA championship experience with the Boston Celtics in 2024. He is a modern center who excels at shooting from the three-point line. That ability is a perfect fit for the Warriors, who are filled with sharpshooters. However, his availability is the biggest issue.

Porzingis has almost always been plagued by injuries every season. In the last five seasons, he has only played an average of 43 games out of a total of 82 in the regular season. Porzingis has also only played 17 times for the Hawks throughout this season. In fact, availability is the most crucial factor in the NBA.

The Warriors seem to be betting on Porzingis' health. They could either win the lottery or suffer significant losses. "I don't think we would make a player trade if we weren't confident that he could be healthy and consistent in playing," said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr.

The reason the Warriors want to bring in Giannis is to maintain their championship chances this season. After losing star player Jimmy Butler due to a knee injury, they are reluctant to waste Curry's prime phase at 37 years old. With Giannis, the Warriors' championship prospects will increase dramatically.

Therefore, the Warriors' trade success can only be measured at the end of the season. If Porzingis fails to make a significant impact in the playoffs, the deal could be considered a failure. Club management would have wasted a season with "Chef Curry."

On the other hand, the winners of this trade deadline are the Bucks and Giannis. Those who did not want to part ways can re-establish a good relationship. Giannis can have a solid team as desired, while the Bucks have the potential to be stronger next season and regain their icon.

So, who is the absolute loser in the failed scenario of Giannis and Curry uniting? They are the NBA enthusiasts, particularly the general fans and Warriors supporters. They missed the opportunity to witness the potential of the most dominant duo in basketball history. (AP/REUTERS)