While there’s “zero indication” that the Warriors would consider trading a longtime franchise cornerstone such as Klay Thompson or Draymond Green at next month’s deadline, there’s a “rising belief” among rival front offices that the team is open to the idea of moving Andrew Wiggins, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack story.
The Warriors are believed to be averse to the idea of moving young forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is reportedly viewed as a potential star who can help them win both now and in the future. But, as has been well documented, the team hasn’t been effective when Kuminga and Wiggins have shared the floor together this season.
As Stein writes, it’s not clear what sort of value Wiggins would have on the trade market at this point. The former No. 1 overall pick was integral in helping Golden State win a title in 2022, and his four-year, $109MM contract was viewed as team-friendly when it was signed. But he’s having the worst year of his NBA career in 2023/24 — his 11.9 points per game would be a career low, as would his 29.7% three-point mark.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Based on what he has heard, Stein says things would likely have to get significantly worse for the Lakers for Darvin Ham‘s job to be in any serious danger. Ham said last week that he was “aligned” with team owner Jeanie Buss and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, and Stein hears the same things from his sources, writing that the head coach has “very strong support” from those organizational leaders.
- Despite the Lakers‘ struggles this season and some speculation from a few media members, there’s no indication that star forward LeBron James has “a shred of interest” in trying to force a trade out of Los Angeles, Stein says. One source tells Stein that the Lakers – who will play eight of their next nine games in L.A. – hope to “ride out this storm” and right the ship during a home-heavy stretch of the schedule.
- Revisiting the Kings‘ recent trade talks for Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, Shams Charania of The Athletic said during an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back (Twitter video link) that Sacramento had hoped to get a deal done “sooner rather than later” and that the Kings had a specific package they were willing to give up for Siakam. With Toronto unwilling to accept that offer at this point, the Kings ended those discussions, which will likely only resume if the Raptors come back to the table to reengage, says Charania.
- Charania adds that the Kings‘ offer for Siakam “revolved around” Harrison Barnes. Presumably Charania means it centered around Barnes from a salary-matching perspective rather than a value perspective, since Barnes’ trade value compared to Siakam’s is extremely low.
Notice how they are not talking about warriors picking up players but shedding money for the future. Looks more like the warriors are looking at the future more than staying contending team. Next 30 days will tell if they like the team or getting rid of contracts.
They’re averse to the idea of Kuminga or to the idea of moving him, which is why they’d move Wiggins instead?
Yeah, that one really confused me as well.
Yeah, seems like they just missed the word “moving” from the context.
Warriors are frustrated in motivating Wiggins. One day he looks like a all star and the next he is a bench player. So moving Wiggins might be the best option in lowering payroll.
Moving, yes. Thanks, that’s been fixed.
Stop trying to make “Kuminga” happen!
It’s not going to happen.
Chris Paul and Santos for Vucevic and Carter or Joseph and Santos for Drummond. Siakam needs to be traded to Dallas. Grant Williams, Holmes, Maxi K, hardaway, Lively, Hardy and Prosper for Siakam, Jacob, koloko and Temple. Raptors waive Young and Porter Jr
I don’t know that adding another ball-dominant player would help Dallas. Kyrie can play off-ball, but he’s still going to take a lot of touches. Siakam’s great, but the Mavs would probably rather have someone like Jerami Grant, who can play off-ball better and provide more spacing. Grant’s contract is a bit of a buzzkill, though.
What about Grant Williams, hardaway, Holmes, Maxi, Lively, Hardy and Prosper for Ayton, Grant and Moses Brown plus a couple 2nds. Portland just waived 2 players so they have room for two extra people. Portland would have to make more moves though
Too many moving parts; the Mavs want to keep at least some of their bench intact, and Hardaway has done a fantastic job for them as 6th man. Grant Williams, Holmes, and Markieff Morris gets you to about Jerami Grant in terms of salary. Portland then just waives Moses Brown’s non-guaranteed deal. Add a 2027 (protected top 10) first from the Mavs and it works, imo. Maybe a second, protected first as well. Or you could add Jaden Hardy, but I really doubt the Mavs would be willing to do that despite his subpar play relative to last season.
Maybe “fantastic” is overstating it for Hardaway, but he’s done a good job.
Grant Williams, Josh Green, Morris, Holmes, Maxi, Lively, Hardy and Prosper for Ayton, Grant and Moses Brown plus a couple 2nds. Portland just waived 2 players so they have extra room. Portland waives Morris and makes more moves
I agree with you on hardaway but I added lively because he is 19, Hardy is young and prosper as well. Irving is 30, Luka is 25, Jones is 26, Grant is 29 and Ayton is 25. Lively is nice but is really young. The ages blend better and get rid of the expensive bench salaries. I suppose you could keep hardaway and add josh green and Morris instead of hardaway. Helps Portland get younger and makes Dallas better. Dallas then promotes Lawson. You are right about hardaway my bad suggesting him, I always appreciate your insight. Thank you
Ayton is just too big of a contract for the limited value he provides, especially when Dereck Lively has been playing like a veteran despite being 19. The Mavs would probably prefer a guy like Andre Drummond, who can both start and come off the bench and doesn’t have a huge or long-term deal. As far as Portland goes, Ayton has been super mid for them; he really looks like he needs to be set up by the PG on offense (his FG% and eFG% without CP3 guiding him has always been meh, and he’s been worse in Portland), and he doesn’t have much defensive value either. Especially with 32 million+ per year on his deal. He’s kind of an albatross.
Yeah Ayton has been very disappointing this year. I thought he would of prospered but it has been the opposite. I still think he can turn it around somewhere else. I was thinking Ayton should go to Atlanta or Pascal to Atlanta. Drummond would be Decent in Dallas. I would like to see Drummond start somewhere though
Warriors need to make a move and the lakers need to make a move. Wiggins may need another change of scenery. Lavine to lakers perhaps and who knows maybe the dubs pursue Kuzma.
D Russel, Rui H, Hayes and Wood with 2nds for Lavine and Drummond. Bulls waive someone. GS needs a center. Vucevic and Carter for Chris Paul and Santos maybe. Then the Bulls do AI number one move and trade DeRozan and Craig to NY for Evan Fournier, precious and Flynn with alot of 1sts. Bulls keep making moves. Or the Bulls do one move and trade Vucevic and Carter for Chris Paul and Santos. Start Craig instead of Williams
Kings: “We will give you Harrison Barnes and 15 boxes of stale hotdog buns for Siakam.”
Raptors: “No thank you.”
Kings: “Fine then. We’re never going to ever talk to you again ever. And you suck.”
Raptors: “OK. Have a nice day.”
Kings: “And we are the ones cutting off the trade talks – not you. And we’re never gonna talk you again forever.”
Raptors: “Yeah. We heard you.”
Kings: “And your mother smells bad.”
You would think the kings offered more than Barnes for Siakam. You would think Huerter was offered along with Barnes along with a 1st rounder.
According to sources it was Barnes, Huerter, Davion and picks. If raps were interested in that deal Siakam would have been traded for a while now. Pacers or hawks are likely to trade for the Siakam. ATL can offer Okongwu, Bogdanovic and a filler with a pick or Capella, Bogdanovic and a pick. Pacers can offer Jalen Johnson or Toppin, Jerace Walker, Hield and picks.
Maybe the Raptors don’t want to bring on future money down the road is why they said no to the Kings. Could be they want players that are free agents so they can select their own players that fit their team. Both Barnes and Heuter contracts are on the books for another 2 years.
Precisely. If they had just this year and a player option then it would be fine. Pacers have better contracts. Outside of Bogdanovic, Okongwu the hawks have shorter contracts to offer.
Raptors would just trade away those guys for draft capital or someone they do like. As it stands, whoever is getting Siakam is getting a half season rental… Raps don’t have too much leverage
Pacers or hawks are in the forefront. OKC could be a maybe.
I’d say anything they can get for Wiggins they should take.
Send Wiggins to the bulls or jazz.
BRon might not ask for a trade but all this losing will force him into retirement
You would think wigg being a Canadian that some sort of package involving him for Siakam would make sense