The Warriors have precisely a three-year window to conjure a worthy roster around their headliner, Stephen Curry. The exit of long-time veteran Klay Thompson initially seemed to be a signal of a blockbuster trade coming. In the weeks to follow, attractive targets emerged too. Curry in particular tried to recruit Paul George. However, as those talks faded, the franchise decided to adorn the roster with supporting role players after the pursuit failed.

But why not go for another star in the market like Zach Lavine? The franchise had been “as impatient a franchise as you can be”. Zach Lavine and the Bulls have had a disturbed dynamic. After losing DeRozan, the team certainly looks to be in a rebuilding phase. His lucrative contract has been an issue, but the Warriors were willing to splash money. However, Dunleavy knows there is a “fine line between impatience and undisciplined”.

In his press conference, Mike Dunleavy claimed he is optimistic about their current roster. The fulcrum remains to be Stephen Curry. And besides them, there are other impact makers that complement his play style. Zach Lavine though would have helped share the scoring load and even relaxed the amount of defensive pressure Curry would face. However, Dunleavy doesn’t feel such risky moves would end up making them a ‘championship caliber team’. “There’s no point in going all in to be slightly above average,” he said according to The Athletic.

While the aim remains to capitalize on Curry’s last act, being reckless isn’t an option. With three years in hand, patience could play a vital role in how the Warriors position themselves in the age of the punitive CBA. Guys such as Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody both are due an extension. With the current dynamics, they are bound to have a larger role during the season.

Their upside is incredible. Kuminga in particular is a fierce athlete that can play on both ends of the floor. The Warriors are also expecting a revived Andrew Wiggins during the campaign. If they do thrive under the current system, Dunleavy could strategically maneuver the Warriors’ draft capital and move only the required pieces.

Another alternative is to leverage their boosted stock and turn it into a franchise-altering player. Someone by the name of the Freak has been on the Warriors’ radar for long.

Can the Warriors pair Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo?

For years, Joe Lacob, the owner of the Warriors has reportedly dreamed of having Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Bay. The Bucks superstar signed a three-year extension last season keeping him till 2028. However, the Bucks are in a sensitive position going into the season. In their first season with the Lillard-Giannis tandem, the team suffered the loss of the Greek Freak to injuries. Hence, their playoff viability remains untested.

Furthermore, this is potentially the last season of some of their core members, particularly Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Antetokounmpo, like Curry is driven by the prospect of competing. If things do go south, the Deers with an unsuccessful tandem and several key components will be free agents.

Those times could lead the two-time league MVP to assess his options, something he has reiterated in the past. Where do the Warriors fit into this equation?

Much of their pursuit for Antetokounmpo could rely on how Jonathan Kuminga performs during the season. According to several reports, the franchise isn’t willing to give him a max extension worth $44 million per season. Delayed talks have caused some unrest within Kuminga too.

But if he does manage to crack through the Warriors’ system and emerge as a bright forward that he is capable of being, the Warriors could work something out. A sign-and-trade involving Kuminga getting his max would allow them to pursue Antetokounmpo without losing much of their younger real estate. Brandon Podziemski being the primary guard the franchise wishes to retain.

Subsequently, it will bring the Greek Freak to a culture of winning that has cultivated in the Bay, pairing him up with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. A move like that takes them from “slightly above average” to being legitimate title threats in the small span of the Chef. It will also give them the opportunity to make Giannis Antetokounmpo the future of their franchise.

The possibility is still bleak and hinging on many hypotheticals. It’s a wild idea. But a move of such magnitude is exactly what Dunleavy and the Warriors are after. Winning remains the top priority, and this will push them closer than ever to making it happen. Do you see Antetokounmpo and Curry team up in the future? Let us know in the comments below.