The Golden State Warriors got a quiet but significant win this offseason, and it had nothing to do with a new signing or blockbuster trade. As rumors around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future swirl yet again, one of their top Western Conference rivals has pulled out of the running. For the Warriors, who are keeping their powder dry for a potential superstar swing, this development couldn’t come at a better time.

While the Rockets added Kevin Durant and shot up the Western Conference power rankings, internal momentum is pointing away from any further roster shakeups. That includes the pursuit of Antetokounmpo, even if he becomes available. And it’s not just front office thinking, the fans are backing it too.

According to The Athletic’s fan survey, 83 percent of Rockets supporters want the team to stay put. That number matters. Especially when it directly contrasts the assumptions about what a contending team should do next. That’s a quiet boost for other contenders like the Warriors. Golden State, currently gridlocked in restricted free agency limbo with Kuminga and tiptoeing around the luxury tax apron, is still dreaming big. NBA analyst Tim Kawakami summed it up bluntly on the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, “I’m saying one of the reasons they’re not trading future first-round picks… it’s like what if Giannis becomes available.”

The Lakers, Heat, and Rockets have all shown restraint this summer to keep future cap space clean. But now with Houston effectively out, the Warriors have one less Western Conference obstacle if Giannis ever shakes loose. 

Golden State has already passed on several medium-tier trades just to preserve future flexibility. NBA insider Jake Fischer confirmed as much, noting that even a tradeable $20M+ salary from a Jonathan Kuminga extension wouldn’t get the Warriors close to matching Antetokounmpo’s contract without gutting the roster. But the dream is alive in the Bay, and now, there’s one less suitor to worry about.

Fans send clear warning to the Rockets amid trade rumors

The Rockets, after years of chaos and rebuild, now find themselves at the heart of a rare moment: stability, talent, and internal optimism all pointing in the same direction. Durant’s arrival this summer was seismic, but it came at the cost of emotional favorites Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore. Fans accepted that deal, but they’re not ready for another.

Even with room to chase another star, like Jaylen Brown or Giannis, the overwhelming message from fans is clear, don’t touch the core. That “Core 6,” a nickname for Houston’s recent first-round haul, has become more than just a basketball term. It’s a fan identity. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun are budding stars. Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason are key glue guys. Reed Sheppard and the recently departed Whitmore sparked hope for the future. This group matters. And in a league that lives and dies by the trade machine, Rockets fans are demanding continuity. 

The Giannis Antetokounmpo buzz, while speculative, was loud enough to reach GM Rafael Stone, who addressed the talk directly in an ESPN Radio interview,“No,” Stone said when asked about the speculation. “I deal well with Jon Horst [Bucks GM], I really like him. Jon was very clear that they weren’t doing anything. So, that was that.” That shut the door on a fantasy scenario where the Rockets landed the two-time MVP. 

In a league where positioning matters just as much as personnel, the Warriors might’ve gained the upper hand this summer without lifting a finger. Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t asked out yet, but Golden State’s plan hinges on readiness. For a franchise like the Warriors, aging, expensive, and desperate for one more run, this is a welcome development. The Rockets may be the rising power, but their refusal to chase Giannis might’ve just given the Warriors one last opening to take a swing.