Warriors’ Plans for the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline
The NBA trade season is officially underway.
Will the Golden State Warriors get involved? They had better if they were to salvage anything from the 2023-24 season.
So far, their roster appears to be undermanned and overpaid. They haven’t been particularly strong on either end of the court, and their only distinguishing feature is Stephen Curry. Their 35-year-old requires a strong supporting cast, and the Dubs are working against the clock to put one together.
An active trade season appears to be in the works, and these are the responsibilities that the front office must complete.
If the Warriors are to enter the title race, they will almost definitely have to trade their way into contention.
However, it is disputed (at best) if this is even a slightly practical alternative. Before Golden State can implement any of its deadline strategies, the team must first determine what this bunch is capable of.
If the Warriors believe they have even a puncher’s chance of competing, they should be willing to part with almost everybody and everything they own. That appears to be the consensus so far, as Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that “everyone but Steph Curry is on the table.”
However, if this is simply not Golden State’s season, the front office must take appropriate action. Expensive rentals would be
Curry was surrounded by some of the league’s top rosters at the height of the Dubs’ era. That is certainly not the case any more.
The experienced core is regressing around him, while the young core has yet to produce adequate substitutes. Klay Thompson’s defense hasn’t been the same since he missed back-to-back seasons with injury, and his shooting has deteriorated. Draymond Green has become completely unpredictable. Andrew Wiggins appears lost at both ends. Chris Paul was already in decline before he arrived.
Curry may have some amazing moments, but he cannot make this concern disappear. Worse, he’s been compelled to perform more heavy lifting than he can handle. His shooting rate has decreased with each passing.
Curry may have some amazing moments, but he cannot make this concern disappear. Worse, he’s been compelled to perform more heavy lifting than he can handle. His shooting percentage has dropped month after month, reaching a low (for the time being) of 41.4/33.8/89.5 through seven January games.
Is there anyone on the market that could be Curry’s co-star? That is certainly a valid concern, as is whether the Warriors would have enough to secure this hypothetical second option. If Golden State is going for it, it has to find a second scorer to lessen some of Curry’s burden, whether that’s through an asset-depleting deal for Dejounte Murray or a hold-your-nose gamble on an overpriced player like Zach LaVine.
While the Warriors have certainly relied on their skill to deceive opponents, the physical limitations of this team may be too much to overcome.
The team’s tallest player, 6’10” finesse forward Dario Šarić, weighs 225 pounds and may struggle in tight spaces. With Gary Payton II sidelined due to a strained hamstring, they only have two above-average players in Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins, and that combination cannot coexist. According to NBA.com, they have played 183 minutes together and lost by a total of 21 points per 100 possessions.
Golden State is at a physical disadvantage practically every time it enters the court. It makes it more difficult to create and convert point-blank scoring chances. It frequently renders paint protection ineffective. The Dubs of the past flew over the floor, thwarting attacks of all sizes and styles; this form of the defense frequently has circles drawn around it.
The Warriors do not have to spend a lot of money on a big man (although calling Jarrett Allen isn’t a bad idea), but they do need to find more functional size and athleticism on the wings. Winning may be impossible if they are unable to alter their bodily nature.
