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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talk after a game at Fiserv Forum on January 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Golden State Warriors have the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and could use that to land a young talent in what is expected to be one of the best draft classes in recent memory. However, the Warriors could also use that pick as a top asset in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, as they’ve been one of the few teams consistently mentioned in rumors.

While Golden State would almost certainly have to include its 11th pick in an Antetokounmpo trade package, recent signs show it might not be willing to part ways with it.

Along with a report about the Warriors’ draft plans, general manager Mike Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr’s recent comments about their 11th overall pick could signal the team has already reached a verdict on trading with the Milwaukee Bucks for their now-available superstar.

Warriors’ 11th Pick Carries A Ton Of Weight In Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors

According to reports and nearly every single mock trade, the Warriors’ 11th pick would be a top asset to send back to the Bucks for an Antetokounmpo trade. Still, while a deal for the superstar is seemingly more real than ever before, all the signs signal Golden State isn’t going to make it available.

Speaking recently on NBA Today, league insider Marc Spears said it looks like the Warriors want to keep the 11th pick and use it in the draft rather than in a trade for Antetokounmpo.

“The Warriors have that 11th pick, and people wonder like ‘Hey, can they get in the Giannis mix?’ From what I’m being told today, from several people, the Warriors (would) like to keep that pick,” Spears said.

Look at any Warriors’ trade idea for Antetokounmpo. Nearly all of them include that 11th pick as well as future ones, along with other players like Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, or other salary fillers.

If Golden State is serious about getting Antetokounmpo and giving the Bucks back what they want, that 11th pick could be the deciding factor on whether Milwaukee even picks up the phone to listen to a Warriors trade offer.

“The Warriors have the 11th pick in the draft and can trade three additional first-round picks (2028, 2030 top-20 protected and 2032),” Bobby Marks wrote for ESPN regarding an Antetokounmpo trade. “The Warriors check the boxes with the ability to trade four firsts.”

But now, it looks like the Warriors might be more reluctant than initially thought about giving up that 11th pick for the Bucks’ superstar.

Mike Dunleavy and Steve Kerr On Warriors 11th Pick

Speaking to reporters after the NBA Combine, Dunleavy and Kerr both gave telling quotes about what they believe is best to do with their upcoming lottery pick.

“It’s a lottery pick in a strong draft,” Dunleavy told reporters, per Anthony Slater of ESPN. “So we feel like we can get a good player. But we’ll look at everything. If there’s offers for the pick to move up, move back or trade for (a) veteran player that can help us, we’ll definitely look at all that stuff.”

Dunleavy left options open, but Kerr’s comments point to the Warriors drafting someone who can come in and play heavy minutes for them next season.

“It’s obvious where we are with the injuries to Moses [Moody] and Jimmy [Butler], you look at our depth on the wings, [the No. 11 pick] has to play,” Kerr said. “He’s gotta earn it, but we’re committed to the development of our young players.”

Obviously, the two aren’t going to outwardly say they are going to use the Warriors’ 11th pick in a deal for Antetokounmpo, but based on what Dunleavy and Kerr said, they might be weighing options outside of the glaring one that sees them at least attempt to land the 2021 Finals MVP.

At what looks to be a tipping point in the Warriors’ franchise history, the idea of them trading for Antetokounmpo feels fleeting, especially with the recent reports about what they’ll do with the 11th pick in the upcoming draft.

They are still expected to target the Greek star, but if their trade offer doesn’t include that 11th pick, their package pales in comparison to what teams around the league look ready to give up to land Antetokounmpo.