Unveiling the Warriors' major reinforcement plan: first reacquire Wiggins, then use Butler to trade for Davis or Giannis

On January 29th Beijing time, according to well-known journalist Brett Siegel, the Warriors’ plan for the trade deadline could be twofold: initially securing Andrew Wiggins through a trade, followed by leveraging Jimmy Butler to trade for either Davis or Giannis.

Siegel mentioned in his report: “When front offices discussed the potential Wiggins-for-Kuminga swap, many believed this might just be a setup move by the Warriors, aiming to orchestrate a bigger deal before the trade deadline.”

He added: “Although Dunleavy and the Warriors’ management publicly denied that Butler would be traded after his injury, insiders in the league think that bringing in Wiggins might be part of a broader plan to eventually trade Butler for Davis or Giannis.”

The Warriors and Heat have already begun talks regarding the possibility of Wiggins returning to Golden State.

Wiggins was originally traded from the Warriors to the Heat last season at the trade deadline as part of the blockbuster deal involving Butler. However, Siegel’s sources reveal that with Butler recovering from an ACL tear and Kuminga’s future with the Warriors appearing limited, Golden State is refocusing on strengthening their wing by targeting this former top draft pick—who still holds significant value within the team.

Siegel pointed out that if the Warriors want to acquire Wiggins, the offer will almost certainly center around Kuminga, and the Heat have already shown some interest in this forward entering his fifth NBA season. Nonetheless, several factors could complicate negotiations between the two teams, with the Heat demanding at least one first-round pick in return.

Additionally, Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix noted that the Warriors have made it clear: if the Bucks seriously consider trading Giannis, they are ready to submit an offer at any time. This statement further confirms the Warriors’ strong desire to acquire the star player.

The Bucks’ 2025-26 season has been full of ups and downs. Currently, the team holds an 18-26 record, ranking eleventh in the Eastern Conference, and their streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances is under serious threat.

To make matters worse, with Giannis announcing he will miss 4 to 6 weeks due to a calf injury, the Bucks’ situation could become even more challenging.

Giannis has spent his entire 13-year career with the Bucks, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season.