Golden State is not convincing anybody that they will recover from a 2-0 deficit in the first round of the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings or even recover next year and start challenging for titles again. By most measurements, the Warriors have been an average team at best this season and face major questions as to how they will set up going forward. Due to a multitude of reasons, the team has struggled all year and ranked 17th in defensive rating and 21st in OPPG this season, and simply cannot find a way to slow down the Kings in the first round this postseason.
Not to mention, the players are older, with Stephen Curry 35 years old and looking somewhat slower when compared to the lightning-quick De’Aaron Fox. Klay Thompson is 33 and counting, and Draymond Green is also 33 and might not even be returning next year because he could be looking for a chance to get to Los Angeles or any other contender. Jordan Poole signed a big money extension and has not done well this year, and his attitude isn’t exactly what is needed as sometimes jokes aren’t required at some moments. That is why chemistry issues have been the core of worry at times.
With so many questions about the Golden State Warriors and even their salary cap situation moving forward, the franchise can’t afford to risk running back the same team and not going after roster improvements. The key is bringing in a superstar player who can take control and allow Curry and Klay some space to play off someone for the first time since Kevin Durant was on the team.
The master plan for the Golden State Warriors is to acquire superstar big man Karl-Anthony Towns and also steal some talented Lakers players, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Here is how the Warriors can get both deals over the line and get back to title contention next season under head coach Steve Kerr.
Add Youth Reinforcements
Trade Package: Draymond Green for Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves
Draymond Green has had a fantastic career with the Golden State Warriors, and please make note that the team does not win a single championship without the player’s leadership and defensive tenacity. The power forward is the type of player the Warriors needed because he was a bodyguard and enforcer for a side that is extremely finesse, even when Kevin Durant was there.
However, at age 33 and certainly looking gray, Green could be looking for a chance to start somewhere fresh. Golden State also doesn’t want to pay an older player when they just forked out the cash to both Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, one of which could be on the move next with chemistry issues clearly affecting the player. Instead of repeating what didn’t work this year, the first major move would be to trade Draymond Green to his preferred Los Angeles destination and bring on two youngsters whose values are sky-high right now.
Rui Hachimura could slot into the power forward spot that Draymond Green left open and bring more offensive versatility. He isn’t the playmaker that Green is, but he is a much better shooter and interior scorer, along with only being 25 years old and yet to hit his prime. His 29-point performance in Game 1 is evidence of what Rui can do on a team with star players, and he could be a refreshing sight in Golden State.
Meanwhile, Austin Reaves is only 24 years old and is also a player who can compete with the Warriors this season. His 23-point showing in Game 1 was particularly impressive because he is developing confidence and clearly has a high basketball IQ. He could be the new first player off the bench while providing youth and energy to an aging team that needs fresh blood. With two excellent pieces on board, the Warriors can focus on their next target: Karl-Anthony Towns.
Acquire Superstar Center Karl-Anthony Towns
Trade Package: Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, 2023 First Round Pick, 2026 First Round Pick for Karl-Anthony Towns
A player with Karl-Anthony Towns’ skill would be completely untouchable as a big man with guard skills in the modern NBA. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves are not looking too great and are struggling to convince anyone that they are legitimate title contenders, even with the addition of Rudy Gobert. The team will realize that the Gobert deal hurt them in the long term because of the four first-round picks they gave up to get him. Not to mention, Gobert might be clogging the frontcourt with Towns.
If the Warriors swoop in and trade Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, and Kevon Looney, Minnesota might take a look and might pull the trigger on the deal to recoup the massive package they sent to Utah for Gobert. Poole can fit in nicely with Anthony Edwards as a starter for the future because he is only 23 years old. Young prospect Kuminga can take some of the defensive responsibility and can be molded into a full-time starter under a good coach. Looney can also play pivotal roles as a backup center as well, but it is obvious who wins this deal.
Karl-Anthony Towns with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Rui Hachimura would be tough to handle on both ends. Towns is averaging 23.0 PPG and 11.2 RPG over his career and is one of the best shooting bigs of all-time (39.5% 3-PT FG). Towns can do it all on both ends of the floor in terms of scoring and paint protection, especially when surrounded by arguably the two greatest shooters of all time. Even if teams throw everything at Golden State to stop the threes, it could be difficult to handle another sharpshooter who stands almost 7 feet tall.
The Warriors will have to change their philosophy if they do acquire Towns, although the big man will be able to adapt because of his shooting. With a dominant big man, the team must let him go to work with his touches. Curry is unselfish enough to feed him the ball and will be willing to do so, especially since Klay and Wiggins are capable of spotting up for shots and competing alongside All-Star players. Curry and Towns become one of the best little-big duos in NBA history on the offensive side of the floor because neither player cannot be stopped in single coverage in Golden State’s system.
With Klay spotting up as the third option and Wiggins defending the perimeter, the Warriors would be extremely dominant. With another All-Star in Towns on the floor, Golden State becomes the favorites to win it all, with Curry, Klay, Wiggins, Hachimura, and Towns occupying the starting five, with Reaves coming off the bench.
The Golden State Warriors Win 2023-24 Championship With Three New Players
The Golden State Warriors era that had Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson never had an elite big man because their style of play involves movement off the ball and quick passing. Luckily, Towns is not any ordinary big man. The 3-time All-Star can literally shoot over defenders and can play on or off the ball. Alongside Steph, Klay, Wiggins, and Hachimura, Towns can be the center in an even deadlier “Death Lineup.” That is one terrific starting core that will compete on both ends of the floor.
Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves are also excellent role players who can fit into the starting lineup depending on injuries and the matchups they go up against. Hachimura is a terrific forward who is posting 12.5 PPG and 5.0 RPG over his career, while Reaves is posting 10.2 PPG and 3.1 RP but is budding before our eyes. These two players are unselfish, confident, and willing to compete on both ends of the court. With the All-Star “Big Four” complete with Towns, these two rotational pieces can be fascinating additions for the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Minnesota goes all-in with Anthony Edwards and Jordan Poole as the team proceeds with the future accordingly. They can try to make the playoffs next year but can re-focus their efforts on building a championship core around budding stars. Conley is a smart and experienced point guard who can elevate Edwards’ play, and Gobert can occupy the paint, but both can be moved to add more young players or even first-round picks. Foolishly trying to win with Towns, Edwards, and Gobert is not the best strategy with better teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Lakers competing in front of them.
Overall, both sides gain some important pieces, but the Golden State Warriors end up becoming the big winners. The Golden State Warriors did not have enough size this season, and moving on from Draymond Green could be the best bet. Paying a 27-year-old All-Star maximum money makes more sense than waiting on Poole to become an All-Star and hoping Draymond Green returns to All-Star form. Not to mention, Hachimura and Reaves are excellent “Golden State” type players who are unselfish, willing to sacrifice, and have proven track records in terms of winning games alongside other superstar players.
