Lower than per week separates the Warriors’ Friday night time primetime recreation in opposition to the Suns and the Feb. 6 commerce deadline.
A win over Phoenix could be Golden State’s third straight after a stunner over Oklahoma Metropolis. However any momentum gained within the waning moments earlier than gut-check time shouldn’t masks actuality.
The Warriors (24-23) have performed like a lottery crew for almost all of the season. After a 12-3 begin to the 12 months Steve Kerr insists wasn’t a “mirage,” the Warriors have made that stretch appear to be simply that. Since Nov. 23, the Warriors are 12-20 with the league’s Twenty fourth-ranked offense and Twenty second-ranked protection.
Throughout that stretch, the crew has had crises of confidence, key accidents and existential conversations. Three main stakeholders of the franchise — Steph Curry, Draymond Inexperienced and Kerr — publicly warned in opposition to making a reckless commerce that will hurt the group down the road.
The Warriors need to enhance, although. Bottoming out isn’t an choice when Curry is wholesome and nonetheless taking part in at an All-Star degree. And in a bundled Western Convention, Golden State is simply three video games out of a real playoff spot.
Right here’s one final have a look at what the Warriors have of their arsenal to commerce earlier than the transactions begin flying.
Draft capital
The Warriors have their very own first-round decide in each draft between 2025 and 2031. Due to NBA guidelines, they’ll solely commerce them in alternating years.
In accordance with The Athletic, the Warriors have warmed as much as the thought of buying and selling this 12 months’s first whereas defending it.
Golden State additionally may have two second-rounders this 12 months relying on the place the Warmth end (their second-rounder heads to the Warriors if it lands after No. 37), plus seconds in 2030 and 2031 to commerce.
Given Curry is 36 years previous and received’t play eternally, the Warriors’ future picks are thought of priceless across the league as groups can wager on their downfall within the post-Curry period.
Expiring contracts
The Warriors have three rotation gamers on expiring offers: Gary Payton II ($9.1 million), Dennis Schroder ($13 million) and Kevon Looney ($8 million).
Payton and Looney specifically are most likely extra priceless to the Warriors than they’d be for one more crew. Each champions with Golden State, they’ve every helped form the crew’s tradition. Payton, when wholesome, is a pure match with Curry as a diver and on-ball defender. Looney is the membership’s ethical compass and an impactful rebounder and defender.
Schroder hasn’t repeated the amount scoring he confirmed in Brooklyn earlier than the Warriors traded for him, however has come on stronger these days. The crew has been impressed by his dogged perimeter protection in opposition to opposing level guards. It’s straightforward to think about a contender — particularly one which runs a extra conventional unfold pick-and-roll offense — desirous to convey him in as a backup level guard.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s Jalen Williams #8 is double-teamed by Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney #5 and Gary Payton II #0 as he places up a shot within the second quarter of their NBA recreation on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Productive gamers
The Warriors began the season taking part in a 12- and 13-man rotation as a result of their roster has a surplus of NBA-caliber gamers. There isn’t a lot useless weight on the crew, however reasonably a heaping of common or barely above-average choices.
Kyle Anderson, as an illustration, is on a good three-year, $27 million contract and has dipped out and in of Kerr’s rotation. He’s been at his greatest as a small-ball 5, however there aren’t minutes open to him in that position when the crew’s totally wholesome.
Buddy Hield is on a virtually similar deal. The Warriors like him as a floor-spacer, however he has shot 30.3% from 3 since December. Moses Moody may also be traded, because the frontcourt logjam has saved him within the rotational purgatory he’s skilled his total profession.
Maybe Golden State’s greatest commerce asset is Jonathan Kuminga, although any crew buying and selling for him must decide on whether or not — and for a way a lot — to increase him in the summertime. He’s nonetheless simply 22 years previous and turned the nook earlier than his sprained ankle.
Andrew Wiggins has been one of many league’s greatest 3-and-D gamers this season. He’s averaging 17.4 factors per recreation on 38.7% capturing from behind the arc whereas defending opponents’ greatest perimeter participant each night time. As a result of he makes $26 million, any main commerce for a participant like Zach LaVine or Jimmy Butler would most likely have to incorporate him.
Cap state of affairs
The Warriors are permitted to combination contracts in a commerce however they need to create virtually a precise wage match to execute a deal.
With simply over $176 million in wage this season, Golden State is $1.3 million beneath the primary wage cap apron, in line with Wage Swish. The Warriors are hard-capped on the first apron mark, which means they’ll’t exceed it.
They’re additionally $5.9 million previous the posh tax threshold. Proprietor Joe Lacob has constantly paid luxurious tax penalties for years because the Warriors contend for championships. However groups on the fringes of the playoff image usually favor to not pay additional for a slim likelihood at significant basketball in late April and past.
