Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Warriors Rumors: Trade Deadline 'Aggression Level' Not Seen as 'Very High'

Erin Walsh

The Golden State Warriors could use some upgrades ahead of the NBA's Feb. 9 trade deadline, but it appears they aren't feeling any pressure to make a move despite an up-and-down season.

During an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Golden's State's trade deadline "aggression level" isn't viewed as being "very high."

"I think their aggression level has to be tempered by the money that any trade would bring in to next year, which is already a complicated year," Shelburne said. "Obviously Bob's [Myers] in the last year of his contract, everybody on that team gets very expensive."

Shelburne added: "Their ownership group has shown a willingness to spend money on championship teams. Right now they don't look like a championship team. However, neither you nor I will ever count them out because we know what they can be when they turn it on. ... I could see them do something, but I would be surprised if they did something that added a lot of money to next year."

The Warriors are currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 24-24 record. They've been tremendous at home, posting an 18-6 record at Chase Center, but away from the Bay Area the Dubs are 6-18, which is one of the worst road records in the NBA.

Golden State had to endure Stephen Curry's 11-game absence from mid-December to early January because of a shoulder injury, which didn't help matters, but the team has still struggled with him on the court.

The Warriors could use some size up front and depth on the wings. They'll need to prioritize which one of those areas needs the most help if they aren't willing to trade for multiple players.

As Shelburne noted, the Warriors will be hesitant to take on more salary for the 2023-24 season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported in October that the projected salary and luxury tax for the Dubs in 2023-24 is $483 million.

One move the Warriors could make ahead of the deadline is trading James Wiseman, who has been linked in rumors over the last month.

According to Ric Bucher of Fox Sports, Golden State has "indicated in conversations with other teams that the development of third-year center James Wiseman is not aligning with their hopes of squeezing another championship from the core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."

Wiseman is owed $12.1 million in 2023-24, so if the team were to trade him, the returning player(s) likely wouldn't be worth more than that price tag next season.

   

Read 0 Comments

Download the app for comments Get the B/R app to join the conversation

Install the App
×
Bleacher Report
(120K+)