Despite an impressive win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday, the Warriors‘ front office seems realistic about the state of the team’s roster and is prepared to make a “significant” deal ahead of next week’s trade deadline, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported on NBA Today (YouTube link).
“This is not really a replicable situation and that’s one of the reasons why you keep hearing the Warriors’ names in trade talks,” Windhorst said Thursday (hat tip to RealGM). “And I know a couple of weeks ago Steph Curry said, ‘We don’t need to do anything desperate’ and all of a sudden they were out.
“I’m telling you, in the last few days, I hear the Warriors are dipping their toes back in the trade market to make a significant move. And just not necessarily for some of the names you’ve heard in the past. I think everybody is kind of riding the fence here, not sure which way this team goes.”
Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic confirmed on Wednesday that Golden State had some new discussions with Miami about Jimmy Butler, though they cautioned that the Warriors had reservations about trading for the 35-year-old. According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, both Curry and head coach Steve Kerr are wary about Butler’s possible fit in the locker room.
Slater and Thompson also revealed that the Warriors were more intrigued by Bulls star Zach LaVine than Butler. They still have reservations about his injury history and the players they’d have to give up to acquire him, but view LaVine as a better culture fit — he’s also six years younger than Butler. Slater and Thompson identified Bulls center Nikola Vucevic as a “secondary” target.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network hears the Warriors are actively engaged in trade talks with several teams and are evaluating multiple scenarios, with LaVine and Vucevic being two of them (Twitter link). Johnson points out (via Twitter) that Kerr was an assistant coach with Team USA in 2021 when LaVine helped the Americans win the gold medal, later praising him for the way he accepted his role.
“He just got it. He understood what the team needed,” Kerr said.
Steph Curry to Minnesota for Julius Randle/Rob Dillingham/Naz Reid/Mike Conley and 2032 1st round unprotected.
I joke btw for all my fellow Warriors fans in here. :-)
I thought you were Sill for a minute there
LMAO i was just being silly because its a slow NBA day.
LOL I tried it in the trade machine and didn’t realize how much over the TWolves were over the cap.
I saw the salaries I think the issue is since Wolves are over the hard cap, they can’t make any deals. Steph and Edwards would be fun though lol
Yeah wolves cant aggregate so it has to be one contract outgoing as matching unless a group of transactions leaves them below the second apron after they are all completed.
If Warriors traded Curry they could get a huge package for him. Since he is also a big money maker in bringing fans into a sold out stadium.
While Curry definitely puts rear ends in seats, never forget, the Warriors never failed to sell out in Oakland even when they stunk. They were a complete anomaly in sports. Not sure if that all would hold over to this generation but just some background on a potential Curry move, which we both know won’t happen…..right?
Johnny Flynn signed and traded to GS apart of this ?
I wouldn’t trade Curry for Naz. Curry will be sitting 75% of games due to age/injury soon enough.
KOC and his Elon-loving self is at Yahoo now.
Beat me to it, Van Lingle!
Re: “According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer..”
KOC dropping “my sources tell me” nowadays.
I wonder who anong his sources told and convinced him about Killian Hayes being the next Tony Parker.
Thanks. Fixed.
Too bad he left the Ringer. I don’t even bother with his Yahoo podcasts. I thought he was fun to listen to with Verno as his foil.
NBA media is completely starved for an actual trade right now. I think we all want players to be happy where they go. And hate me for saying it but Jimmy should go to San Francisco… this is the best fit.
I’d prefer Lavine tbh even though that contract is a bit of a beast long term.
So is Jimmys but for much older years since if your trading for him your keeping him and paying him his next deal.
Matching is too expensive to have the talent work out, unless you clean up in the buyout market, since Butler isnt soooo much better than Wiggins that its worth sacrificing 4 rotation players to do it.
In all seriousness, do you guys think this is one of the worst trade markets in recent years? Like a 35 year old disgruntled player is the best option on the trade market this year? And a good but not great/elite PG from Sacramento? I can’t recall a market that has had such a “meh” feeling for the market and it’s talent.
The trade market was always going to suck with the new CBA, at least initially. It really handicaps the teams above the 2nd apron.
It’s funny that people were like they need a hard cap, etc. but it just gives most owners the excuse not to spend.
I thought instead, they should’ve fixed how max salaries worked (add a stipulation that if you sign a max, you can’t be traded for at least the first half the duration), etc.
It’s likely going to be a better one than next year’s deadline market.
Nah…
Fox isn’t that old…
Neither LaVine nor Butler move thr needle enough, especially since Wiggins would likely need to be a piece of any trade in order for the salaries to work. Could they be looking at Paul George or Lauri Markkenen again?
Can Markkanen get traded since he signed his extension (similar to Zubac in another article) or do they have to wait until the offseason?
And god no to Playoff P.
Markkanen waited until exactly 1 day past the date that he could have been traded this season to sign his extension.
thanks – forgot about that detail.
Yep. Unfortunately, I think he wants to stay in Utah. He’s gotten comfortable there.
They have to wait until the offseason. It’s one of the reasons why he waited until August 7th.
A significant trade could def get them to the 9 seed.
Nah I disagree. The right piece, like a Markannen, or a sharpshooter like Lavine would definitely help them compete in the playoffs. They need a legit 2nd or 3rd option for Steph.
i wouldn’t put very much into what Slater or Windhorst claims. they said before a trade is likely then nothing happens.
I mean I expect them to look at a lot of players. Whats the price on Coby White? Could you get in on a deal for one of the Pels keepers like III/Jones if you gave them a couple good unprotected picks? I think they would love to move Hield and almost for sure Schroeder if they can get something back anything that will be either a shooter who isnt terribad at defense and being a shooter or a ball handler.
Any contract in the 7-9M or 13M or a better player in the 20M zone would work where you could get off both DS/BH and bring back a better rotation player while freeing up a roster spot or two. I would maybe try to send out Waters too since then you would be able to be far enough below the apron to sign any buyout player and offer them the full min. You could probably do this years pick top 3 protected. Some other playoff teams might want DS so it goes 3 team.
I would expect any player they like who makes in those type ranges to be the most likely acquisition. You would think they would place a premium on guys on cost controlled deals for another year or two since they will sign Kuminga and shoot back into the tax next year if he is still on the team post deadline.
Zion Williams would be a big push for next year. Even though he has a history of injuries might be worth taking a chance on. I would deal Kuminga in a trade like that. Way TJD been not playing he might be in a trade package for a player to sweeten a deal.
Zion hasnt really looked like Zion when he has been healthy, and his injuries are many. I dont really know if his hamstring will ever stay right long. I think Kuminga might get a deal at like 33M where I would rather have him on that then Zions deal.
lavine would be great. jimmy is unfortunately buring a bad reputation throughout the league
Warriors doing nothing major. Unless Wiggins is involved. I just don’t think his value is high right now. Warriors best move would be for Vucevic.
They need a center, but watch the Lakers over pay for Butler.
Maybe a trade does happen before the deadline. But imo Butler would be toxic to any of these western conference contenders. Too much ego at this point in his career and not enough humility to sacrifice and take a backseat role in order for his team to succeed. Lavine is risky too bc of his contract, but that’s it. When he’s healthy, Lavine puts up really good numbers offensively, and that’s why he’s being considered as one of the best shooters in the league right now. Also don’t forget, he’s an Olympic gold medalist, and he’s earned a lot of respect from Kerr during their time with team USA. So maybe Chicago will meet the warriors on a respectable deal..We shall see. It’s all about the money nowadays.
Your also just shipping out 1/3 of your rotation for a lot of these teams and then trying to incorporate multiple new players with little practice time and have everything humming by the playoffs.
Cam Johnson should be a target.
If the price comes down from an exiting young player and 2 good 1sts…
I wonder who the not yet mentioned players the Warriors are looking at are? Fox or Sabonis? Some 3D chess moves afoot? The phrase “significant trade” could mean anything, it could mean GP2 and picks for Vuvecic, like we all have been saying for a long time, or it could mean acquiring a true 2nd superstar to put next to Steph and Dray that no one has mentioned yet.
I thought the plan was to hold Kuminga, Moody and Wiggins to use them to start a package to run at Giannis or KD with. Maybe that’s off the table if Kuminga is back on it.
The more I think about it the more I can see the Kings trading both Fox and Sabonis to reconfigure their team. GSW is a match for either one.
This GSW FO is hard to figure. Maybe they’re just putting out statements that they think Curry wants to hear. Coming into the year, and early in the year, when they appeared to be one of the top teams in the West, I was abit surprised at the tough talk (on how aggressive they’ve always been seeking significant trades) vs the passive trade record (no significant trades made). But they cleared up by saying they didn’t want to be “reckless”. So, OK, got it, no trade unless its a significant trade, presumably meaning a trade for a potential difference maker.
Then Butler becomes available, and they almost immediately back off it before it was even clear they looked at it. Then Curry says they shouldn’t be reckless. OK, really got it at that point, no trade. Now, as a .500 or so team, they get a big win, and all of sudden they’re claiming to be looking to make a significant trade again. At this point, I’m not sure they’re one player away, or who that one player might be that they think might be out there.
DXC I think the phrase “significant trade” could mean anything, it could just mean getting Vooch, it could mean getting Maxey from Phily out of nowhere. No one knows.
The Dubs are just so undersized, their entire existence is based on them shooting well enough to win ballgames. There’s no low-post presence, and if they miss shots, like Wigs and even Curry do from time to time, they’re absolute garbage. Vucevic? No. Giannis or Sabonis and Fox would probably be even better at this point.
You are right and that’s why everyone’s rebounding stats are nice on GS. They need a veteran C starter. Looney isn’t it
Even though Vucevic isn’t a defensive force at all, I bet he would be better than any GS player down low. 6’6 Green isn’t big enough
GS are just to undersized for everyone else. It’s either they want to compete for a championship or stay relevant so everyone makes money ugghhhh. Just get a C GS jeeeezzzz. 10 years we will look back and see Kerr is having a Don Nelson problem and everything will fall apart soon
Payton, Anderson, Waters and picks for Vucevic
we need to tear down the bulls, trade every veteran that holds some value for expiring conracts, picks and maybe some young players
First
Warriors should trade Looney and picks to the Magic for another big in Bitadze for instance give them some more size upfront
Next
Larry Nance Jr for Payton Santos and picks more athleticism at the pf position
Next
Bring in Cameron Johnson and Dariq whitehead for Wiggins podziemski and picks in there exchanging hands
I like the way you think but a hard hard no on Larry Nance Junior. Seems like that guy is always injured. I mean always lol.
They have one second and none of those deals merit a first so not sure how theyre doing “picks” in these deals.
Apparently you can buy picks by offering future picks. So I figure the warriors are prime candidate to pull a phoenix suns and acquire some extra draft capital by dangling a way off into the future pick.
I am totally against trading for Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, Vooch, and all the names we’ve frequently heard the last month.
Some of these guys would either deplete the Warriors roster, have too long of a contract or make way too much annually, or have significant injury history.
Warriors need to #1, tank, or #2, hopefully there’s some other dude out there that some team would like to dump because they are not doing well and have fallen in the standings yet still owe this guy two or three years salary. I have no idea who that guy could be. February 6 can’t come soon enough.
Because GS has only ONE C in Post!!!!! How hard is this to understand. Why tank? Makes no sense
I think the roster and the way it’s set up right now doesn’t manifest well in the playoffs.
They need to dump these guys who’ve not sufficiently plugged the necessary holes they were signed to fill.
So scenario #2, find a guy or two to put them over the top and trade away these inefficient players currently on the roster.
But I think that’s a pretty tough proposition so I’m in favor of dumping the guys and just calling it a day.
Keep your own draft pick and go big game hunting this summer. Plus any draft picks or Young guys you get for Kyle Anderson Looney Buddy Hield, Dennis Schrader, etc., would be added bonus.
Just my thoughts anyway. Who am I? I know nothing. Just a rabid fan foaming at the mouth this time of year.
Who would you let go? Maybe they do need a upgrade at SG too. Who would you go after? Should be veterans 30+
It’s possible the Warriors have something up their sleeve.
I believe they will trade Jonathan Kamminga within the next week. As a fan, I’m hoping for the same.
So with that thought in mind, that could open up other players and other teams as trading partners?
Of course, Buddy Hield and Dennis Schroeder and Kyle Anderson can be had for peanuts right now if anyone’s interested.
Gary, as far as Kuminga, Moody, and Podz, brace yourself for the next five seasons. If they were going to be traded, it would have happened last summer and Paul George and/or Lauri Markkanen would be here.
Those are the guys Steph and Draymond are talking about when they tell you the team won’t mortgage the future.
Those guys would’ve been here if those teams would have accepted the right combination of those exact young guys you are naming. Absolutely.
The three guys you mentioned will not be part of a starting lineup on a great playoff team at any time in my opinion.
The only guy I really have faith in is Podski because he lays it all out every single minute he’s on the floor. Needs to work on his shot and I think he will. Look what happened to Moody and his 3 point shot as an example.
The other two I can’t get them out of town soon enough. Jonathan Kuminga within the next week and Moses Moody this summer because of the poison pill.
Perhaps Podski also but I’m fine with keeping that guy. Good size good vision, smart player Hustler big time. Didn’t he lead the league in charges taken last year or something crazy like that? I couldn’t find the stats but I see this year with all his time missed He’s still ranked number five lol.
Garyq, ok, let’s memorialize the specifics of this disagreement over who to keep/trade, and revisit in a couple of years.
1. Podz (we’re pretty close)
– me: Future GSW starter as an over-average, but never All-Star, player. GSW needs him to help set the culture post-Draymond and Steph.
– you: he’s less than that, but I’ll take him
2. Kuminga (we strongly disagree)
– me: future top 25 player who will be with this team in 2026-27. He and Wiggs are lone bright spots this season.
– you: traded by Feb 7
3. Moody (do we really care?)
– me: Career rotation player. Never an NBA starter.
– you: Get him outta here
4. TJD
– me: Great value at $2M/yr for next 3 years, leaving cap space for others. At worst, he’s a solid backup. Best case, he develops into an average NBA center.
– you: Trade bait
Gary, let’s get back to talking about trading Draymond. His performance this year is down, his availability is poor, and that $27M/yr contract is going to kill us over the next few years.
GSW has 1 week to get something of value back for Draymond. There are a handful of teams wanting to win now that value him much more than they will in June.
Let’s make a deal. Detroit? Houston? Dallas? Indy? Maybe, even, OKC?
I’m all for trading a Draymond Green right now.
I was one of his biggest supporters until he said he wouldn’t get more than 10 technicals this year and he’s already up to what 8? We’re not even at the All-Star break lol
There’s a long way to go and he’s just not a man of his word and he can’t control his emotions. He hurts the team and he hurts himself. Simple as that.
And once a person makes a decision or sees the light, it’s like, get that guy out of town ASAP.
Could be a lot of suitors for Green. It’s definitely a risk. On the level of Jimmy Butler risk? I don’t know. But definitely a risk.
The fact that Bob Myers is no longer running the team makes trading Draymond a heck of a lot easier right now. There’s no emotional attachment like perhaps Bob Myers would have.
I like the idea of a deal with Detroit, Houston, Orlando, or, even, OKC, because those teams:
1. have an excess of young talent and/or draft picks
2. seek to move up a level, but lack proven winners
Draymond should fetch a nice young piece or two.
Trade for Lauri Markanen and/or some young talent