Reports: Giannis Antetokounmpo hesitant on Warriors move due to ‘Durant effect’ concerns | NBA News – The Times of India
As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, everyone’s eyes are fixed on the deteriorating relationship between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks. While rumours are flying around about Golden State Warriors’ interest in acquiring the two-time NBA MVP, but a recent intel from The People’s Insider, Jake Fischer, suggests that the picture of Giannis walking on the Chase Center hardwood in Warriors’ jersey is far from certain. Fischer indicated that, as per some inside sources, the Greek Freak shows hesitation in joining a team with an aging roster and the heavy dependence on a single player.
Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t want to become the second Kevin Durant
Reporter Jake Fischer shared that a significant hurdle in the potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal involves the looming shadow of Warriors’ former superstar, Kevin Durant. During Durant’s three seasons with Golden State (2016–2019), he secured two championships and two Finals MVPs, with an average of 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting with an efficiency of 52.4% from the floor and 88.3% from the free throw line. But other than the ring-chasing criticism, the internal conflicts led to his leaving the team in 2019 while nursing an ACL injury. Understanding the stature and presence that Stephen Curry carries on the court Fischer stated, “League sources say that Golden State is aware of recent rumblings that Antetokounmpo can’t be assumed to be as eager as he was once perceived to be to relocate to Stephen Curry’s town and team. How credible are such rumblings? Presumably only Giannis knows for sure. Yet I have heard from sources briefed on the situation that some in the know suspect Antetokounmpo could be turned off by the idea of joining an older team and/or facing the sort of criticism that Kevin Durant continues to absorb to this day about teaming up with Curry.” Antetokounmpo, who averaged 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 30 games he played this season, reportedly values a career path that prioritizes leading instead of playing under a shadow. And with Warriors, Stephen Curry remains the undisputed cultural icon and the focal point of their playmaking.
Warriors aging roster puts off Giannis Antetokounmpo
Playing under Curry’s legendary stature is just one of the problems. The Golden State Warriors’ aging roster has turned off Giannis. The team is currently 8th in the Western Conference with a 27-23 record. In their last 10 games, they have only managed to win 6 of those contests. With a playing core that is past hitting the late 30s: Stephen Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (36 and sidelined due to ACL), Draymond Green (35) and Al Horford (39), Warriors championship dreams are based on players approaching Father Time. Despite Milwaukee’s struggling at 18-29, Giannis, who is currently sidelined after a self-diagnosed calf-strain in late January, is seeking a championship window that won’t slam at least shut within the next 24 months. For a player who just turned 31 this season, the idea of a veteran-heavy roster may not be the favor he’s looking for.