Should the Golden State Warriors make a big move at the NBA Trade Deadline? We play keep or trade with 5 key players.
The Golden State Warriors are in a bit of a pickle. The Warriors have lost seven out of 10 games and are not competitive this season, having lost their spark. Crunch time is upon us, as the NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away.
This once proud and fun team is now losing its pride and they no longer look like they're having any fun. The Warriors need help. The veterans aren't performing well enough to win. Neither are the younger players.
The team is facing a crisis with no solution in sight. They are grappling with a difficult situation. Klay Thompson's contract will be up for renewal at the end of the season. Draymond Green is set to receive $25M over the next three years. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins is contracted to earn $85M throughout the next three seasons. It's quite the pickle indeed.
What should a team, that has won four championships since 2015, do now? It's anyone's guess, but for this exercise, we are going to determine the fate of five Warriors players not named, Steph Curry.
Keep: Jonathan Kuminga, PF/SF
Jonathan Kuminga is finally starting to break out of his shell. In his last 10 appearances, he is averaging 20.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, all while coming off the bench, playing roughly 30 minutes per night.
The numbers are starting to look great for Kuminga, but it's the way he's starting to look on the court that's the most impressive. He no longer looks lost, or uncertain. The game is slowing down for him, and he's taking full advantage of it.
He's performing so well that he could be the icing on the cake in terms of a big trade candidate. Kuminga is 21 years old. He won't turn 22 until the start of next season. The Warriors should hang on to the young, up-and-coming star, and look to build around him for the next iteration of Warriors basketball.
Kuminga is the trade chip that brings in the best return for any big-name trade, should the Warriors explore the market. They shouldn't. They have a future All-Star caliber forward on their hands who is just now hitting a resemblance of a stride. Imagine what this kid will be able to do in a few seasons.
The Warriors make the smart move here and keep Kuminga for the future. There is no sense in trading him now, especially while their season has practically already passed them by.
Trade: Draymond Green, PF/C
Draymond Green is having a great season on the court. Although he was suspended twice this season, he is now back to playing consistently after his indefinite suspension was lifted. However, there is concern that he may face further suspension due to his conduct in the future.
Draymond Green has far been referred to as the "heart and soul" of the Warriors teams. There is no denying the fact, that four Championships don't happen if Draymond is not on the team. Those Championships are in the past, and now it's time to look forward.
Draymond's antics are antiquated. While he may believe he's untouchable and can get away with being a "you know what" on the court, those days are dwindling. The old Draymond doesn't fit in with what the new Warriors need. His outbursts, flagrant fouls, and endless chirping are not what the Warriors need. They need a savvy veteran who can be relied on every night. Draymond doesn't offer that anymore.
Green's contract is not an issue for teams looking to contend over the next few seasons. In fact, his $25M a year for the next three years is pretty reasonable. The Warriors could conceivably bring back two mid-tier contracts for Green's services, which would help get this team the depth it severely lacks.
Green's time in Golden State has come to an end. It's time to face the music and move on. Clean break. The Warriors will be happy to shed the long-term salary and add a piece or two that will get this team ready to compete next year.
Keep: Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG
This inclusion will be very short. Podziemski is a 20-year-old guard who has looked the most comfortable out of all the young talent Golden State has had over the past couple of seasons. So no-duh the organization should keep him.
His inclusion on this list is solely due to the potential to bring in a bigger name. Much like Kuminga, teams may require that the Warriors include Podziemski in a trade that will net them a star.
The Warriors have found a gem in Brandin Podziemski and I believe that he has earned the right to be kept on this team to see if he can be the next player in line to lead the Warriors. This kid is just scratching the surface. The Warriors need to keep him around.
Trade: Moses Moody, SG/SF
The Moses Moody experiment has not been a successful one. The 21-year-old has shown that he has role-player ability, and that might be his ceiling. That is rather disappointing for a former lottery pick, but that is where the Warriors find themselves.
Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and James Wiseman were supposed to be the next three in line after Curry, Thompson, and Green. Wiseman is already gone, having been traded to Detroit. Moses Moody is most likely next.
Teams will always covet young, three-and-d wings in today's NBA, so there will inherently be a market for Moody. The Warriors could wait on Moody's development, but it feels like a change of scenery for both parties is necessary.
The Warriors can use Moody in a one-for-one trade to upgrade their bench with a veteran. Or they could use him in addition to a larger contract to go after a bigger name. Whatever option the Warriors choose, they should look to move on from Moody.
Trade: Klay Thompson, SG
Klay Thompson is set to be a free agent this summer. His enormous contract is coming off of the books. From what the Warriors have seen this season from Klay, is it responsible to lock him down with another long-term, expensive contract this offseason? I don't think so.
Klay Thompson looks hampered by his former back-to-back season-ending injuries. He just doesn't move the same as he once did. Defensively, he's slower and not as adept at moving laterally. Offensively he looks even less so. Klay's game, once predicated on being one of the best cutters in the NBA, now solely relies on shooting from the perimeter.
Luckily for Thompson and the Warriors, shooting never goes out of style. Teams all around the NBA are looking for shooters of Klay's caliber. So why not lean into it if you're the Warriors? This iteration of Warriors is not bringing its fifth Championship back to the Chase Center.
The Warriors should look to move on from Klay. He has a massive expiring contract and could fetch them some decent offers. If the Warriors don't have plans of keeping Klay long-term anyway, why lose him for nothing this upcoming offseason? Why not part ways now, and acquire whatever assets you can to put themselves in a better position to compete next year?
It might be tough breaking up the "Splash Bros," but eventually all great things must come to an end. While it may be rather unceremonious, the fact of the matter is, is that this team needs a change of direction. It's no hard feelings for Klay, as the Warriors move on from him at the deadline and look to finish this season out strong, while simultaneously getting ready to compete next season.