Whar do the WARRIORS need to become legit contenders?

[MessiahUjiri]

The Warriors are 7-1. They look really good, but you can’t help but think that this is a regular season mirage, similar to Kings teams of recent past.

In the playoffs, they won’t be able to play 12 guys a night.

They will undoubtedly make a move to get under the tax, and it’s highly likely that next year they have to choose between retaining Wiggins and paying Kuminga.

The question, then is: what move would solidify their team as a post season contender, and address their tax issue?

[gswhoops]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

[giberish]

Getting under the tax is minor. They'll do it if it's cheap but it's not that important. If they're pushing for a title contender it won't be a concern.

Staying under the 1st apron is mandatory, as they've already made moves that hard cap themselves there and aren't that far underneath so they can't net add too much salary this season. Also if they do a 3 for 1 type deal they'll need to back fill the roster spots so the original deal can't push them too close to the apron.

Realistically what they need is a 2nd option. Another guy with star-level offense-creation and overall quality. The challenge is getting a guy like that who is:
1) actually available
2) good enough to matter
3) not so young/elite that teams with more trade assets chase them
4) can be made to have a trade work with salary matching, tax/apron issues and midseason roster spots
5) is a good fit style-wise with the remaining roster
6) can adapt to the Warriors offense (and to a degree defense) midseason without a longer adjustment period

[MessiahUjiri]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

[Coxy]

I'm sure the Warriors front office is keeping a keen eye on that melt down going on in Milwaukee.

[giberish]

I'm sure the Warriors front office is keeping a keen eye on that melt down going on in Milwaukee.

Lillard isn't helping GS. Just won't work on defense.

(and the Warriors can't make a credible Giannis offer)

[NW]

Think the next two games, especially the Cavs tomorrow with the Mobley/Allen combo, will go a long way in answering that question. Will be able to tell if a rejuvenated Looney and TJD is enough up front or if another bigger big man is needed. Also would be nice to get another bucket getter. Team is reminiscent of the pre-KD Kerr teams. The beautiful motion game will be enough offense against young, dumb and undisciplined defenses, but veteran smart defenses that know to get physical and muck things up (see the one loss against the Clips) will make scoring tough.

[DonaldSanders]

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

I like the idea of going for a C (you are right it is a weaker area) but that's a disaster trade for the Warriors, contrary to the belief of most on the board, Wiggins is a very important player. He played crucial defense against Tatum in the win vs. Boston and looks better this year. Clarkson is not someone the Warriors would be interested in, much less also giving up a 1st. I get that Kessler is the prize, but the Wiggins/Clarkson part is a no-go.

If the Warriors really wanted Kessler they'd offer Kuminga for Kessler + filler contract, Jazz could flip Kuminga if they don't want to keep him.

I think it's unlikely the Warriors make a big trade, but a trade for a C is something that could make sense -- Loon is back in shape and looking better this year, but historically only plays around 20mpg. So I do agree with your idea of looking at Cs, and I have put Kessler in the trade machine before. I haven't watched him enough to know whether he can play our defense though, or if he is just a drop coverage type guy. The Warriors need a C who can handle switches.

I like Kuminga but I'm not sure he fits our playstyle (plus the contract in the off-season), so I'd say JK and some potential filler would be what we're working with. Lindy Waters can be thrown in and has had some decent looking playtime when in the rotation.

[Nate the Great]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

Roughly half the Warriors trades I’ve read on RealGM from fans of other teams over the past decade have insisted that they’re not tall enough, and will never get anywhere without trading for a “true big man.” And yet the Warriors have ignored this sage advice, while somehow having a modicum of success. So maybe their priorities are different.

[SkyHook]

[gswhoops]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

The biggest "hole" such as it is would be a true second option type, but Jordan Clarkson is far from that. He's more of a microwave scorer off the bench type (and we've already got the best bench in the NBA). As others have pointed out, we've had plenty of success without a "traditional" big man so I don't think acquiring one is high on our radar unless it's a can't-miss type deal.

I'm also not sure in a broader sense how trading one rotation player for two is supposed to address having "too much depth."

[louc1970]

I'm sure the Warriors front office is keeping a keen eye on that melt down going on in Milwaukee.

Probably need a 3rd team to get involved but:

Giannis salary-wise equals is real close to Wiggins, Kuminga, TJD and filler of (Santos, Waters, GP2).
Same works for Butler.

[Chi town]

Think the next two games, especially the Cavs tomorrow with the Mobley/Allen combo, will go a long way in answering that question. Will be able to tell if a rejuvenated Looney and TJD is enough up front or if another bigger big man is needed. Also would be nice to get another bucket getter. Team is reminiscent of the pre-KD Kerr teams. The beautiful motion game will be enough offense against young, dumb and undisciplined defenses, but veteran smart defenses that know to get physical and muck things up (see the one loss against the Clips) will make scoring tough.

Yep. BPOD won’t be enough shot creation in the playoffs. They are overvaluing him. Should have traded him for Lauri.

They have nothing to trade to get the player they need. Only assets are THD and BPOD. 2nd apron team makes it tough too.

[gswhoops]

I'm sure the Warriors front office is keeping a keen eye on that melt down going on in Milwaukee.

Probably need a 3rd team to get involved but:

Giannis salary-wise equals is real close to Wiggins, Kuminga, TJD and filler of (Santos, Waters, GP2).
Same works for Butler.

Unless Giannis specifically asks for Golden State, I don't see how we could compete with OKC's (or several other teams') Giannis offer on value.

Butler seems like a more reasonable target if Miami decides to shift gears and retool around Bam et al.

[Chi town]

I think their only hope is Kuminga plays well and gets them what they are looking for in trade.

[babyjax13]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

Easy easy pass for the Jazz. But maybe this works for Poeltl.

[NW]

Think the next two games, especially the Cavs tomorrow with the Mobley/Allen combo, will go a long way in answering that question. Will be able to tell if a rejuvenated Looney and TJD is enough up front or if another bigger big man is needed. Also would be nice to get another bucket getter. Team is reminiscent of the pre-KD Kerr teams. The beautiful motion game will be enough offense against young, dumb and undisciplined defenses, but veteran smart defenses that know to get physical and muck things up (see the one loss against the Clips) will make scoring tough.

Yep. BPOD won’t be enough shot creation in the playoffs. They are overvaluing him. Should have traded him for Lauri.

They have nothing to trade to get the player they need. Only assets are THD and BPOD. 2nd apron team makes it tough too.

Was never a matter of Podz. Ainge wanted him, the other young talent and all the picks and swaps available. If it was just Podz and some of those things, he’d be in Utah right now, but not everything.

Warriors got multiple first rounders, young talent and expiring contracts. They got capital for a trade. Maybe not Giannis capital, but some.

We’ll see come December when trades start happening and what proves to be a need

[parsnips33]

They needed the Big Finn to care more about winning than getting a big paycheck

I think at this point you just ride it out with the roster you have, maybe you get lucky with matchups/injuries in the playoffs

Current team looks like more than the sum of it's parts. No doubt they will take a long look at Jimmy Butler if he becomes available

[gswhoops]

Barring a consolidation trade for a star, I'm not sure there's a deal that we "need" to make (and I doubt we will disrupt what looks like good team chemistry for anything short of a clear upgrade)

I think Warriors need a true big guy for the playoffs. Ideally they also need one more scorer, as they are still too reliant on Steph.

The ideal C would be someone like Myles Turner (3&D)…but more realistically, I can see them as a dark horse for Walker Kessler.


Just throwing this out there:

Andrew Wiggins + ‘25 1st (light protections)
for
Walker Kessler + Jordan Clarkson

It needs a small filler also going out from the Jazz to make it legal, but it fully accomplishes the task of getting a shot blocking C, another bucket getter, and the tax situation for both this season and next season.

Easy easy pass for the Jazz. But maybe this works for Poeltl.

I am a big Poeltl fan but I don't think we would have much interest in acquiring him unless it was at a steep discount. We haven't played a big true C in basically the entire post-KD era (outside of the time the FO leaned on Kerr to force-feed Wiseman minutes)

[Saul Goodman]

With the pelicans having the absolute season from hell I think they will move on from Ingram and the warriors are a pretty perfect fit.


Andrew wiggins
Payton
2025 1st
2026 Atlanta 2nd


For


Ingram