NBA fans weren’t thrilled at the idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo ending up in a Golden State Warriors jersey as trade chatter intensified ahead of the February 5 deadline.
As teams around the league explore potential offers for the former MVP, Golden State has emerged as a possible destination — though not without concerns. For some NBA fans, the fit feels awkward, both stylistically and historically.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Giannis may not be fully sold on the idea either. Fischer noted that Golden State’s aging core, along with the lingering legacy baggage tied to Kevin Durant’s move, could give Antetokounmpo pause.
“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,” Fischer wrote. “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.”
That perspective quickly found support among NBA fans.
@HeatvsHaters said, “Yuck I agree, my future GOAT. Golden State? More like Olden State.”
Yuck I agree, my future GOAT. Golden State? More like Olden State
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) February 3, 2026
@WarriorsMuse added, “He’s won with the team that’s drafted him there’s nothing really else to prove.”
Not everyone agreed.
@JoshuaJ67149889 pushed back, saying, “He won a championship on his own KD didn’t I don’t think it would be the same criticism.”
Still, the comparison is hard to ignore. When Durant joined Golden State in 2016 after leaving Oklahoma City, the move reshaped the league and how NBA fans viewed his legacy. Despite winning two titles, Durant was often seen as operating in Stephen Curry’s shadow rather than defining his own era.
For Giannis, that’s a narrative many believe he’d want to avoid after already delivering a championship to the franchise that drafted him.
“This is why Kendrick Perkins is not a GM”: NBA fans lash out on Kendrick Perkins’ hot take on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s possible move to Houston
While NBA fans debated Golden State as a destination, Kendrick Perkins floated another idea.
On a recent episode of the First Take podcast with Stephen A. Smith, Perkins suggested pairing Giannis with Kevin Durant in Houston.
“If you get Giannis to [Houston], with Kevin Durant and Ime Udoka? Boy, it’s going to be hell in hot water,” said Perkins.
The take didn’t land well.
@JD_Realla said, “This is why Kendrick Perkins is not a GM. That trade makes no sense. Sengun & KD gives you the same thing Giannis & KD would give you. The Rockets need a PG & a PF. I’d rather them go for Westbrook & Portis.”
@Kyle_TheWelch added, “The Rockets have already been reported to be out on Giannis Kendrick.”
Others were more confused than critical.
@KingrogersDa1st said, “I’ve never heard that phrase before. Wtf does hell in hot water even mean.”
As the deadline approaches, speculation around Antetokounmpo continues to grow, with NBA fans split not only on where he should go, but on what kind of legacy move makes sense at this stage.
