The Golden State Warriors urgently need roster improvements to maintain contender status.
Their unimpressive performance has relegated them to play-in positioning, including a two-game losing streak despite Stephen Curry’s exceptional individual play.
Trade speculation centers on moving Jonathan Kuminga for upgrades, with increasingly bold proposals emerging.
Some scenarios involve pursuing Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo by surrendering Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, or both alongside future draft capital.
Jonathan Kuminga’s situation with the Warriors
Bill Simmons questions whether Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition solves Warriors’ fundamental problems
NBA analyst Bill Simmons advised against all-in trades, even for a player of Giannis’ caliber.
Acquiring the two-time MVP would require surrendering significant assets including Butler, Green, and multiple first-round picks.
“There’s no trade that fixes them. Let’s give them every asset they have, they trade for Giannis. Are they one of the best teams in the West or not? I wouldn’t do that,” Simmons stated.
“Let’s say that they could trade Draymond and Butler and all their picks for Giannis and Kuzma. Does that do anything for them? I don’t think it does,” Simmons added.
Simmons‘ reasoning reflects the Warriors’ need for both star power and roster depth to compete in the Western Conference.
Surrendering their remaining core pieces for one superstar would create roster imbalance while sacrificing draft picks complicates future flexibility.
Zach Lowe predicts continued play-in struggles regardless of blockbuster moves for Golden State Warriors
Simmons’ co-host Zach Lowe shared skepticism about the Warriors’ ability to compete with elite Western Conference teams like Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, or Houston Rockets, even with significant roster changes.
“It gives you a little bit of a better road map for the immediate post Steph era. They’re going to have to go through play-in again, which means they’re going to have struggled to get the eighth or seventh seed and hammered by one of these teams at the top of the West,” Lowe explained.
Steve Kerr LOVES Brandin Podziemski!
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The Warriors require significant roster upgrades, but must prioritize trades that enhance competitiveness while maintaining balance because the idea of the trade should be centered around helping Curry now and building the team after he retires.
Therefore, Kuminga and role players like Buddy Hield and even Al Horford might be the ideal candidates to be trade pieces.
All-in moves for singular stars risk creating new vulnerabilities without adequately addressing the comprehensive roster deficiencies preventing championship contention.
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