The Golden State Warriors have had a roller-coaster season so far. After starting out the season 12-3, they have lost six of their last seven games. They currently sit fifth in the Western Conference amidst many teams. Their hot start has mitigated the effects of this losing street, but the warts of this roster are starting to show. Steph Curry can still be an elite scorer, but he is starting to show his age.
Part of what made Golden State dangerous a few years ago was the presence of Klay Thompson. His scoring ability took some pressure off of Curry. Now that he is in Dallas, the Warriors have great role players but lack another star. According to reports, the Warriors are on the hunt for another star before the trade deadline.
Golden State Warriors Desire Second Star
In the offseason, reports indicated the Golden State Warriors were trying to acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. He ended up signing a massive extension and cannot be dealt until next offseason. ESPN’s Shams Charania made an appearance on NBA Today and talked about the team’s pursuit of another star. “I’m told that the Warriors are on the real hunt for a star, a playmaker, a scorer alongside Stephen Curry,” the NBA insider said.
As of this moment, there isn’t a clear target. The biggest name in the NBA trade rumors is Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat. The perennial Eastern Conference contender has had a down year, and the roster looks to be in need of a reset. Butler wants to win another championship, and getting traded may be his best bet. In terms of the fit, the Golden State Warriors would be a seamless transition. It’s something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Solid Role Players
What makes the Golden State Warriors a tantalizing team at the trade deadline is their quality role players. They could give up a few of them and still have a solid roster. There are many players who can take on the scoring load on any given night. The team stats show balance across the board.
- Andrew Wiggins: 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists
- Jonathan Kuminga: 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists
- Buddy Hield: 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
- Draymond Green: 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists
- Brandin Podziemski: 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists
- Moses Moody: 7.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists
These are just the top producers. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Lindy Waters III, Gary Payton II, and Kevon Looney have all played important roles this season. Their depth is unmatched, and they have assets to spare. They were able to win championships without sending massive amounts of picks to other teams.
Final Thoughts
The Golden State Warriors feel like they are a star away from being a true championship contender. Steph Curry can still score in bunches, but every team needs another player to take the scoring load off of one person. Things change fast in the NBA. A superstar player may become disgruntled and demand a trade. If they do, the Warriors will likely try and pounce. The front office sees the potential of this roster and wants to win one more championship with Curry.
