Can the Warriors’ season still be saved? That’s probably not even the question, since you simply owe it to Stephen Curry to give him as good a team as possible. For now it’s average at best and coach Steve Kerr is still looking for meaningful lineups. Sometimes not even a half goes by before Kerr starts tinkering with his starting five.
But what is even possible for the Dubs? Golden State is the most expensive team in the NBA and will also have problems avoiding the second apron next season. As of now, it is already $144 million for 2024/25 and this does not include free agent Klay Thompson or Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed salary (30 million).
Paul was considered a possible trade chip before the season, but are the Warriors really willing to add long-term contracts in a trade for CP3? The other elephant in the room is Andrew Wiggins, whose deal was once considered team-friendly, but the Dubs would now have to pay more for his 85 million over the next three years. That wouldn’t make sense in the current situation, as a rebuild will be necessary when the Big Three (Curry, Klay, Green) retire at the latest. Jonathan Kuminga is unlikely to be available after his performances in previous weeks, instead Wiggins and CP3 are the most likely trade candidates.
And how could the team be improved? There is still a lack of a dynamic guard alongside Curry who can also defend adequately. Gary Payton II doesn’t seem to be reliable with his many injuries. The problems on the wing are also known, at least Kuminga gives hope. Nevertheless, it hardly seems realistic that Golden State will find a trade that could bring them back into the contender circle.
2024-02-01 08:14:00
#Trade #Deadline #Preview #Pacific #Division #Lakers #Suns #Warriors #LeBron #passiveaggressive
