For the past six years, the Golden State Warriors went from everybody’s favorite up and coming team with how they built their success through the draft. But then they became the villain of the entire association with their success and free agency acquisitions. Many people think their reign of terror is over, but not so fast. This dynasty has the potential for another three to four more years of dominance.
The Warriors are currently 9-27 and their struggles this season are bringing joy to not only NBA fans but current NBA player’s hearts. Including starting point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers Patrick Beverley. “Y’all a little different without KD, I see.” Beverley sarcastically said. “Uh-huh, y’all cheated long enough. It’s Ok y’all had a good run. Back to reality.”
Unfortunately, the two-time MVP Steph Curry broke his wrist in game four and will miss the rest of the season. Klay Thompson is still recovering from a torn ACL. Not to mention D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green have missed several games due to injury.
Is this the beginning of the end? I think not. Golden State currently has the 2nd worst record in the NBA, meaning if the season ended today they would have the number two overall pick. Not to mention the majority of the players the Golden State Warriors are playing belong in the G-League. Although these young players are getting their behinds kicked, these are valuable reps for these players. Next season when they are playing as backups they will be more than equipped with experience, the familiarity of Steve Kerr‘s system, and team chemistry to bring valuable minutes off the bench. Brings back vivid memories of the 2015 Warriors, right?
The Golden State Warriors’ Road Back
Here are three scenarios the Warriors could use to get back to being one of the best teams in the NBA.
Going forward, the NBA deadline doesn’t end till February 6th. If these young players, play well they could be moved for bigger pieces. Rumors have been circulating that Karl-Anthony Towns is frustrated with the lack of success the Timberwolves are having and could potentially demand a trade soon. (The veracity of these rumors has been strongly denied.) I could see the Warriors offering two packages for the superstar center.
D’Angelo Russell
2020 first-round pick
for
Karl-Anthony Towns
OR
Draymond Green and two first-round picks
for
Karl-Anthony Towns
Second, they could keep their pick and draft James Wiseman, the versatile big-man from Memphis who in three games averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3 blocks while shooting 76.9 percent from the field. The Golden State Warriors have always needed a legit big-man and this would solve their problems for the next decade. Yes, he’s young but his role would be fairly easy. Pick and roll or pick and pop with Curry and Russell. Run the floor, rebound and block shots. Finally set good screens for shooters and buy into the championship culture.
Lastly, if the Milwaukee Bucks underachieve this season and don’t make it the NBA Finals the Greek Freak could want a change of scenery, especially with his free-agency decision coming up next summer. Why wait? If Giannis knows his current team can’t go to or win a championship why wait it out while a whole nother season to passes by when he could demand a trade at the beginning of next season, as Anthony Davis did? No team in the NBA has the assets to trade for Giannis but the Warriors. If rumors start to circulate about Giannis wanting to leave the Bucks owner Wes Edens would have to consider trading him, especially if Giannis makes it public.
A Potential trade:
D’Angelo Russell
Draymond Green
2020 first-round pick
for
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ersan Ilyasova
D.J. Wilson
Dragan Bender
This trade would work for both teams financially and from a personnel standpoint. I know this is not an intriguing swap of players for a talent like Antetokounmpo, but Edens would be trying to keep his franchise above water and keep the fans interested. Trading the Greek Freak for young proven assets like the 25-year-old All-Star D’Angelo Russell, along with a potentially a top-two pick in 2020 would do it. Ask the Thunder or Cavaliers how things turned out when Kevin Durant and LeBron James walked away freely in free agency.
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