The Golden State Warriors currently find themselves with the second-best record in the NBA at 35-13. They are legitimate championship contenders with Klay Thompson back at full health.
So, why would Golden State even think about making a deal ahead of the NBA trade deadline? There’s a couple reasons why. First off, injuries have plagued this team to an extent. Both Draymond Green and James Wiseman are sidelined. There’s also some concern about frontcourt depth behind the aforementioned Green and Kevon Looney.
Below, we look at three trades the Warriors should look to make before the February 10 NBA trade deadline.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
Golden State Warriors trade for Mike Muscala
- Warriors get: Mike Muscala
- Thunder get: Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nico Mannion, second-round pick
There’s no telling when James Wiseman will return to the court for Golden State. The former No. 2 pick has missed the entire 2021-22 season thus far with a knee injury. This leaves the Warriors incredibly short in the frontcourt. That’s magnified with Draymond Green also sidelined to injury. Adding the underrated Muscala to go with Kevon Looney would be a nice under-the-radar move. It would also stretch the court given Muscala’s ability to shoot the three.
- Mike Muscala stats (2021-22): 8.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 46% shooting, 43% three-point
Oklahoma City finds itself in complete rebuild mode. It is attempting to acquire as many draft pick assets as possible to help expedite said rebuild. Picking up a second-round pick for a 30-year-old center who doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans makes sense. OKC also picks up the underrated Toscano-Anderson (5.2 PPG, 53% shooting in three NBA seasons). An expanded role would do the Oakland native well.
Related: Where do the Golden State Warriors stand in Sportsnaut’s NBA power rankings?
Golden State Warriors add depth from Portland Trail Blazers
- Warriors get: Ben McLemore, Dennis Smith Jr.
- Blazers get: Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nico Mannion, two second-round picks
Depth? Why? The Warriors go about 13 deep. What would it accomplish by adding more rotational pieces to a roster that’s having a hard time giving minutes to talented players? Well, it’s rather simple. Most of the Warriors’ depth is out on the wing with Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala and Jonathan Kuminga. The team could use more depth in the backcourt. Both McLemore and Smith Jr. (combined 15.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.2 APG) would provide that.
Now, why would the Blazers help out a conference rival? This is also rather simple. Acquiring two future second-round picks for veterans who don’t fit into the team’s long-term plans makes sense. As for Toscano-Anderson, he’d be a major upgrade out on the wing on defense.
Related: Sportsnaut’s NBA Playoff and championship predictions
Golden State Warriors land Marvin Bagley III from the Sacramento Kings
- Warriors get: Marvin Bagley III, 2023 first-round pick
- Kings get: James Wiseman
Publicly, the Warriors’ brass decries rumors that Wiseman could be had in a trade. There’s no telling whether that’s to up his value ahead of the NBA trade deadline. What we do know is that Wiseman has played all of 39 games since Golden State made him the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. It’s looking very much like that was a bust of a pick with LaMelo Ball going No. 3.
Either way, the 25-year-old Kevon Looney is having the best season of his career. He’s averaging 6.1 points and 7.3 rebounds on 55% shooting from the field. Golden State doesn’t necessarily need a dynamic center with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Wiggins doing their thing out on the perimeter. However, the Dubs could use a traditional backup power forward to the injured Draymond Green. Bagley III would round out the rotation in a big way.
- Marvin Bagley stats (career): 9.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 46% shooting, 15.0 PER
As for the Kings, it’s known that they are looking to move th 22-year-old Bagley. Why not attempt to get a potential franchise cornerstone inside to go with guards De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton? By yielding a protected first-round pick in 2023, Sacramento does just that. If healthy, Wiseman could end up being an All-Star caliber player.