In search of answers after a poor stretch of games, the Warriors made another change to their starting lineup on Friday night, with Dario Saric replacing Jonathan Kuminga, per Kendra Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link). Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney were the other four starters.
Golden State gave up 75 points to the Bulls at half, which was a season-high for Chicago, and trailed by 13 after two periods. But the Warriors rebounded with a 48-20 third quarter and wound up winning by nine.
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- Curry has been in a slump of late for the Warriors, and it’s clear the ups and downs of the season have been wearing on him, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “I feel like we’ve been in this situation for the last two years,” Curry said. “Even in the championship year, we started 18-2 and then we had some rough patches like this where we struggled mightily. These last couple of years have been rough because of all the noise and distractions, because of the lack of consistency on the court. At least last year we had enough to scare somebody. But we’re far from that right now.”
- Center Ivica Zubac has been playing an important role during the Clippers‘ surge up the standings, per Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. The eight-year veteran is averaging career highs in multiple categories this season and has formed a strong two-man game on offense with James Harden while anchoring the paint defensively. “I knew I could play in that pocket, that I could be a roll man on offense and defense,” said Zubac. “I’m confident in my game a lot, so I’ve always been confident. But right now, it’s at a high level.”
- Suns guard Bradley Beal had his best game of the season during Thursday’s victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles, recording 37 point (on 14-of-21 shooting, including 8-of-10 from deep), six rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. In a story for Sportskeeda, Mark Medina describes Beal’s transition to Phoenix, writing that the three-time All-Star has drawn rave reviews for fitting in so well with the team, despite dealing with injuries for much of 2023/24. “Brad is one of the best players in the world,” Kevin Durant said. “To see an opportunity to see that close up and see a guy every day and see who he truly is as a player and then you come out there and get moments like that, that’s always fun. I enjoy seeing my teammates cook like that. We’re going to need more from him because that ignites the bench and it ignites the crowd, even if we’re on the road.”
Curry lost a step on defense and from watching the games this year they are targeting him on defense. Thompson defense has picked up.
Seen the rumour GSW are apparently looking for a 7 footer that offensive minded and willing to give up Wiggins as they value Kuminga more and don’t want to split the OG trio.
Which lead me to this idea
GSW: Nikola Vucevic and Danuel House
Chicago: Robert Covington, Paul Reed and Moses Moody
Philly: Andrew Wiggins
GSW get the type of player they want and with House he can help fill in some forwards minute should they decide to keep him. Chicago gets out of the deal they gave Vuce for a good rebuilding package. You get an expiring deal and two good young players. Philly gets the wing upgrade they kinda need. They don’t need to add another superstar the depth has been solid just need 1 more core player. Wiggins played college ball with Embiid so I think would slot is easy next to Tobias as 3 and D role players.
Everyone’s a winner
The only issues I potentially see is Vuce isn’t exactly a pace and space style player. Instead of being that hard screen rim runner they’ve had in Bogut, Zaza and McGee in the past Vuce is more of a pick and pop big and the paint should be open for cutters from the wing. I think coach Kerr could make it work. Also Chicago still haven’t conceded to a rebuild yet and may still see Vuce as a long term piece which is stupid as they suck, he’s old and they need to rebuild.
Yes your idea seems doable. But the Warriors need more than one piece more, than a 7-footer. They need a couple of guys so I could see them dumping four or five to get to replacements that help.
Trades of that magnitude are for the offseason but with a new GM and no emotional ties I can see them dumping Thompson and Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga and moody.
I agree to an extent, I was just saying with recent reports coming out apparently for now all they are after is a offensive minded 7 footer, hence the trade idea above.
I guess the idea is Curry Klay Kuminga Green and this 7 footer with CP3 GP2 Podzi Saric and Looney as the main role players off the bench. Makes some sense as they need another 20 points per game scorer and need size, Wiggins isn’t providing the scoring and Looney lacks the size. However as you’ve said long term if they want to really have a better chance at a title I agree they need to do more than just 1 addition. Short term it isn’t a perfect fit but it ain’t terrible either.
@ Gary:
Zero chance they trade Thompson or Kuminga.
Getting a Myles Turner or a Vucevic might be all they need.
Indiana loves Turner
NBAisOK, I think Thompson’s already gone. Hear him say he’s not losing a sleep over the fans booing?
He’ll probably find a better contract elsewhere than in San Francisco next year. Might as well get something for him now.
It’s been a good run and he’s a warrior for life but it’s time to go.
You can’t just sign a 40 million free agent when you’re over the cap so why not trade for one? Will it happen, probably not. Is there a chance? Oh yeah baby, big time.
Gary, I guess we’ll find out soon enough whether Thompson will stay a Warrior, or if GSW either stands pat or trades for a 7 footer who can score at the deadline as Kawakami mentioned. IMO Thompson won’t be traded.
Wiggns is a major disappointment but he has the lowest trade value right now. Hopefully, he will play better next 4 weeks.
How about trading Curry, Draymond, Klay, and CP3? Get young assets, reset luxury tax, and start total rebuild? Curry is an icon and still playing like mvp, but realistically how many more yrs? Besides, I wouldnt be surprised if he has injuries down the stretch when CP3, GP2 are healthy. He has been playing way too many minutes.
Right now the Warriors need Wiggins defense. So why trade a player with his value so low? No indications the warriors are making any trades until the deadline because they don’t know where this team stands right now.
What rumor are you talking about that they are after a 7-footer? Please name your source.
The rumor I started by saying Vucevic and Carter to GS for Chris Paul and Santos with a pick
“There has been some talk about maybe just go get a 7-footer who can score,” Tim Kawakami said on 95.7 The Game.
No way (zero%) Philly gives up its foothold on 2024 free agency for Wiggins, if Philly wants anything from GSW its Klay’s expiring
Yes Curry is struggling and Wiggins is off mentally but moves need to happen yesterday. Dubs overvalued Wiseman too and learned the hard way. Kuminga is better yes but you have to trade him to get another star and not waste Steph & Klay’s final good years.
Yes I see something MAJOR happening at the deadline. Can’t be a .500 team heading into the postseason with one star and 10 supporting guys. Especially when that star is 6-3, 190.
They didn’t overvalue Wiseman. Sheesh. Learn something about Basketball. All big men take time to develop. He didn’t have that chance in Golden State. Everything went against him here. He is getting that playing time in Detroit. And he is coming along nicely.
No reason to trade Kuminga. They need to finish the rebuild.
Pascal is the best available player and GS has the pieces if they’re looking for a shakeup
Why trade for a guy that is going to leave in a couple of months? Trades have to makes sense.