Blockbuster Trade Idea to Finally Get Steph Curry Real Help In Golden State

Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. expressed confidence that franchise icon Stephen Curry wouldn't request a trade in the wake of a disappointing offseason that basically returned a 37-win roster.

He also offered a caveat to reporters: "Look, if [Curry] comes to me and wants to be moved, [controlling owner] Joe [Lacob] and I will talk it through. We wouldn't love it. But he's earned the right to do what he wants."

Curry seems committed to joining Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant in the "one career, one franchise" club, but the Dubs' whiff of a summer has to have him privately considering alternatives.

If Golden State wants to ease Curry's mind, we've got an idea.

The Trade

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Myles Turner

Golden State Warriors Acquire: Tyler Herro*, Myles Turner, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kevin Porter Jr.

Milwaukee Bucks Acquire: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, 2027 first-round pick (top-4 protected), 2031 first-round pick

*Trade cannot be executed until Sept. 6 due to aggregation restrictions on Herro and Jaquez

Why Golden State Does It

Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The main appeal is clear: Butler and Moody are coming off injuries and highly unlikely to make an impact until it's too late. From a 2026-27 standpoint, the Warriors are getting four useful players in exchange for Butler and the equivalent of half a rotation player.

For an offense that lacks capable shot-creators other than Curry, Herro and Porter Jr. would represent massive upgrades. The fit between both of them and Curry would be tricky on defense, but it's been a long time since Golden State paired Curry with on-ball scoring guards as dangerous as either of them.

Turner would add to the Warriors' collection of stretch 5s and only seems duplicative until you remember that Al Horford is 40, and Kristaps Porzingis has played 57, 42 and 32 games across the last three seasons. Turner is the ideal pairing with Draymond Green up front, and he'd address what seems like an inevitable depth issue at center.

To get all that, plus another downhill threat in Jaquez, Golden State has to attach two first-round assets to Butler's expiring $56 million contract. That outlay would be higher if the Warriors weren't also including Podziemski, a Wisconsin native who'll hit restricted free agency after the season.

Golden State can afford to lose Podziemski, Moody and Richard because none address the shot-creation void as effectively as the incoming Milwaukee alternatives.

Why Milwaukee Does It

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Brandin Podziemski

This trade effectively ups the return for Giannis Antetokounmpo by adding two more valuable first-round assets to the four Milwaukee acquired from Miami.

Turner makes less sense now for the Bucks as they begin rebuilding, and he was mainly brought in as a complement to Giannis. Now that the two-time MVP is gone, Turner is a little out of place.

Herro is on an expiring deal the Bucks may not want to extend at market rates, while Podziemski could provide equally valuable production at a lower salary. Meanwhile, Richard nearly made an All-Rookie team last year and ticks the "young and cheap" boxes that matter to Milwaukee.

Taking on Butler's expiring contract is a burden, but the Bucks had $44 million in salary set to come off the books between Herro, Jaquez and Porter. Maybe they won't view the extra $12 million as all that different. At the very least, Butler could be used in tandem with all of the Bucks' picks to take on a potential cornerstone in a subsequent trade.

Milwaukee should ask for at least one more first-rounder. Golden State might be reluctant to part with it for a deal that isn't bringing back a superstar, but its desperation to surround Curry with a credible supporting cast could win out.