Mike Dunleavy Jr., general manager of the Golden State Warriors, will likely have a busy next two weeks as his club, currently sitting at 18-22, is in serious need of a change of direction. Before the deadline on February 8th, the Warriors will be active in the trade market. Kyle Kuzma, a top player for the Washington Wizards and a former member of the Los Angeles Lakers, is apparently the franchise’s objective. However, the most fascinating questions still center on the team’s veterans, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Although Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks is a guard whom the Warriors are also interested in signing, it is unclear which players will be departing the Bay Area. Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Enquirer reported recently,
A three-team deal that would require the Warriors to give up Andrew Wiggins may result in the acquisition of one of those players. Their drive for the NBA championship in 2022 was greatly aided by the forward. Still, his output has plummeted. This season, he is averaging just under 12 points per game, down from over 17 points per game in the previous two seasons. The Dallas Mavericks, who have Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic as their superstar tandem, are considering matching the previous first-overall selection with them. They may assist the Warriors get one of their targets by mediating a three-team transaction.
Normally, Golden State stays quiet during the in-season trade window. But the Warriors dynasty is facing unprecedented challenges, and they are prepared to alter their strategy in order to reverse the negative effects of their terrible campaign.
Which player—Klay Thompson or Draymond Green—will the Warriors trade?
There are concerns over the future of the Big 3 of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in light of the Warriors’ dismal season. The other two franchise pillars have underperformed, despite Curry’s continuing All-NBA play.
Thompson has shown a startling lack of consistency. The guard’s scoring average has dropped to 17.3 points per game after surpassing 20 points per game for seven consecutive seasons. Additionally, he is shooting the three-point line at the lowest percentage of his career. The Warriors are suffering greatly as a result of Green’s struggles to remain on the field. Of the 40 games the Warriors have played this season, he has missed 24, 21 of them because of suspension. He has averaged 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 16 games.
Green is in the first year of a four-year, $100 million contract deal that he signed last year, while Thompson will be a free agency in the summer. Ideally, both players might be utilized to acquire a player who would improve the squad. Nevertheless, the franchise is reportedly hesitant to deal with their symbols, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. The Warriors are being devoted to their indigenous talents, the author stated. It’s uncommon in the modern NBA, and the team deserves praise for taking this stand. It is yet to be seen, however, whether their affinity will work against the squad or in their favor as they try to go back to the top.