After Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL injury dramatically altered the Golden State Warriors’ title hopes, a former LeBron James teammate has urged Steph Curry to make a bold move by recruiting another NBA superstar to the Bay Area.
The suggestion centers on pairing Curry with one of the league’s most dominant big men to restore championship momentum. A video of the comments has sparked fresh conversation around how the Warriors can pivot before the trade deadline.
With the Warriors’ depth tested and their championship window seemingly narrower without Butler, some voices in the basketball world think it’s time for Curry to take unusual steps to keep Golden State competitive.
Ex-LeBron James teammate suggests Steph Curry call Giannis Antetokounmpo
In a viral clip of the comments, the former teammate, Kendrick Perkins, didn’t mince words about who Curry should call next.
“It’s time. It’s the perfect timing. If I’m Steph right now, getting my light-skinned a__, green eyes, and I’m picking up the f______ phone, and you know who I’m calling?” Perkins suggested.
“I’m calling Giannis and saying, ‘Hey, man. What are you waiting on? Damn it, I need you and you need me. Let’s make it happen right now.’
“If it’s anybody that Giannis Antetokounmpo listens to, and he will want to act on it, let Steph call his m_____f______ phone,” he added.
Perkins’ passionate plea reflects just how high the stakes feel for Golden State as the Warriors navigate the post-Butler landscape with Curry still leading the charge.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a perfect fit for the Golden State Warriors
The idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo joining Stephen Curry in Golden State isn’t new in NBA talk, especially given how Butler’s absence has exposed the Warriors’ need for a dominant two-way presence inside.
Rumors and trade proposals have circulated about how a deal could look, but any blockbuster exchange would almost certainly require significant draft capital and roster assets, illustrating the difficulty of prying a franchise cornerstone like Giannis from Milwaukee.
Despite persistent speculation, Giannis has publicly downplayed the idea of forcing a move, repeatedly stating he would never ask the Bucks for a trade and is committed to his current team for the foreseeable future.
If a move did happen, pairing Curry’s elite shooting with Giannis’ athletic dominance and defensive impact would create one of the most feared duos in basketball today. But the complexities of NBA contracts, cap space, and Milwaukee’s reluctance to move its star make such a scenario as dramatic as the Perkins clip itself.
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