Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo refused to rule out a move to the Golden State Warriors in response to a fans' plea.
The two-time NBA MVP, 28, was unable to help the Bucks reclaim their NBA crown back off the Warriors after they fell to an NBA Play-Off defeat to the Miami Heat. Miami won the series in emphatic fashion, beating the Bucks 4-1 last month.
Antetokounmpo has also come under fire despite being one of the NBA's superstars, and sent a sharp warning to his detractors following the Bucks' season woes, saying: "I'm tired of the disrespect. I'm coming."
His message came before the Warriors' Western Conference semi-final defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, and it has many fans believing Antetokounmpo will land at Golden State this offseason with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green named as two who could make way for the center.
Antetokounmpo addressed questions about a trade to Golden State on social media and gave a telling response. In fact, Giannis appeared to flirt with the idea, which will only fuel further speculation on a blockbuster trade. Such a move would see Antetokounmpo's freakish athleticism combine with one of the NBA's greats, Steph Curry.
"Somebody says, 'Please come to the Warriors'," Antetokounmpo said with a smirk on a video shared to TikTok. "Ay [laughs]... ay... ay man."
Whether the Bucks would be willing to negotiate a trade for their superstar is unknown. The Bucks did, however, give 2021 NBA-winning coach Mike Budenholzer the axe following their Play-Off defeat to the Heat.
Antetokounmpo is reportedly unlikely to sign an extension with the Bucks this summer, according to ESPN. Antetokounmpo signed a five-year, $228million (£183.3m) supermax extension with the Bucks in 2020, and in that deal comes a $51.9m (£41.7m) player option for the 2025-26 season.
However, such a deal could allow Antetokounmpo to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 season, which could draw the Bucks to the negotiating table should the Warriors make a move for the player.
