The Golden State Warriors need to fix their glaring roster holes as their 12-3 start to the season has completely unraveled. They are 18-18 now and don’t look like Playoff favorites in the competitive West. They have the assets to change the face of this team but have deliberately been waiting for the right trade to come their way. With another potential Playoff miss on the horizon, the time for waiting should be over.
The Brooklyn Nets have made their best players available, with the Warriors already agreeing on a deal for Dennis Schroder earlier this season. They chose not to acquire Cam Johnson in that deal because they didn’t want to part with Jonathan Kuminga. They then proceeded to bench Kuminga until he picked up an injury, making his future with the franchise even more uncertain.
Instead of waiting to fall into a hole they can’t climb out of, Bleacher Report suggests the Warriors make a bold move to fix it now.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Cameron Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe
Brooklyn Nets: Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Gui Santos, 2027 Top-3 Protected First-Round Pick (GSW)
This deal brings Johnson’s efficient wing-scoring to Golden State to be a smoother complement to Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. The biggest help here is for Stephen Curry, who has another major offensive option to support the scoring load in a year where no one else has stepped up. The Nets land a young star with a potentially high ceiling.
Making Moves To Stop Their Slide
What are the Golden State Warriors waiting for? Does their record need to worsen to five games under .500 before they realize they need to make a move immediately? Outside the 2022 Championship, the Warriors have missed the Playoffs twice and were a second-round exit in the last four seasons. They’re in danger of this officially being back-to-back seasons outside the Playoffs with a healthy Stephen Curry.
Cam Johnson is averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season. His offensive portability has been one of his biggest strengths, as he seemingly adjusts to every role in the offense.
This season, he’s shown he can be a capable No. 1 option, and an excellent second option, while always being a scoring threat on the court. He draws attention and plays with high IQ – a perfect fit for Steve Kerr’s motion offense in Golden State.
They’ve made it clear that they don’t want to acquire Jimmy Butler, but they have to do something. Instead of taking a high-risk plunge on a star who they have to overpay to retain, they’re getting Johnson under a long-term and affordable contract. It also leaves them room to make another star trade with plenty of draft assets and movable stars.
The Nets Jumpstart Their Rebuild
The Brooklyn Nets are openly rebuilding, although their veterans have been fiercely competitive on the court. Their 13-24 record already gives them a lot of ground to cover on other tanking teams, making a non-top-three pick in the 2025 Draft a glaring reality. While they’ll still add a star and potentially have another lottery pick with the Phoenix Suns, they can acquire a young star right now with a high ceiling.
Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds this season. He’s expected to be out with injury for the rest of the month, but the Nets could acquire him to start integrating him into the roster for next season and beyond. Kuminga is on an expiring contract, so the Nets have full latitude on whether they want to extend him or let him go, as they get strong assets outside of the 22-year-old forward as well.
Gary Payton II is a lockdown defender who would be a short-term addition, averaging 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds this season. Kevon Looney is averaging 5.0 points and 6.7 rebounds, potentially serving as a solid veteran leader for the young Nets locker room. He knows the ins and outs of a championship dynasty, so his presence could be greatly beneficial.
Kuminga is a very productive player for his age and has a high ceiling. The Nets have the space to cater to his needs and facilitate the growth that made him a top-10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Making The Best Of A Bad Season
The Warriors need to do something for this to not be a lost season. Every loss is a glaring indicator of the flaws on the team, which boil down to the lack of consistent scoring on the roster. Even Stephen Curry is having rough games this season, so there needs to be greater offensive depth on this team. Johnson addresses that.
Kuminga wants to play for a contract the Warriors have been unwilling to give him. Instead of waiting to play the season out with a player even if the coach is unwilling to start, it’d be best to capitalize on his value now instead of kicking the can down the road. The Nets can give him a space to develop his game, something he’d likely prefer.
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