The Golden State Warriors are fixed as a playoff team, but nobody expects much from them after such an inconsistent season. Credit has to go to them as they might be dealing with a championship hangover. It was certainly an impressive title run by the team last year, especially since they took down a talented Boston Celtics side led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the NBA Finals.
But instead of challenging this season, the Warriors are less dominant than they were last year since they sit 6th in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record. The team has been inconsistent on both ends of the floor, and the Draymond Green incident has played a massive role in team chemistry. The team’s best scorers have done well on paper, as Stephen Curry posted 29.5 PPG on 49.2% FG and 42.6% 3-PT FG. Klay Thompson has done well as the second option by averaging 21.9 PPG on 41.0% 3-PT FG and Jordan Poole managed 20.4 PPG despite the inconsistencies he has faced.
Interestingly, offense has not been the problem as the team finished the season ranking 10th in offensive rating and 3rd in PPG, and 1st in pace. Defense, size, and versatility have been the major problem all year for the franchise. Obviously, Golden State wants to contend for the title, and they should be looking for ways to improve the roster at all costs. Those costs might include polarizing forward Draymond Green, youngster Jonathan Kuminga, and even recently acquired Gary Payton II. Draymond is posting 8.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 6.9 APG, but the Warriors might not want him to take his player option worth over $27 million. Kuminga is a talented player but could be used as trade bait, and that goes for Gary Payton II, who was brought in before the trade deadline.
That could mean three valuable rotation pieces are available in trade talks, especially when a first-round pick is involved. The best target should be none other than two-time All-Star, and superstar forward Zion Williamson. The big man only played 29 games this season but is averaging 25.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 3.6 APG on 60.5% FG, 34.3% 3-PT FG, and 69.1% FT over his career so far. These are superstar numbers considering Zion is only 22 years old and has yet to appear in a season of 65 games. His appearance record over his career so far goes like this: 24 games, 61 games, DNP, and 29 games. This is a horrifyingly bad example of the player’s injuries, but at 22 years old, time is of the essence.
Since the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t the most intriguing team for Zion and his camp, as the player won’t likely appear in time for the play-in tournament this year, the Warriors could pounce to form an iconic starter rotation and create a superteam. Here is the best option for the Golden State Warriors to catapult every other team in the West and certainly win it all through an iconic trade package.
Trade Package: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, 2023 First-Round Pick for Zion Williamson
This trade package is mainly focused on the first-round pick and solid two-way talents of the players because New Orleans wants to push toward the playoffs while Golden State wants to perform a blockbuster deal for another All-Star to pair with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins. Here is why this deal works for both sides, especially the Warriors.
Golden State Becomes A Superteam While Solidifying Their Future
Zion Williamson is an absolute superstar when healthy, and he has proven that time and time again. Health is a major factor when discussing any NBA player, and Zion’s inability to stay on the court is a major problem for the Pelicans right now. Perhaps there has to be more than the forward’s weight because maybe he isn’t motivated enough to suit up for the New Orleans-based franchise, which is why trade conversations are happening in the NBA Universe. Zion is already a multi-millionaire, so it is not easy to motivate a young man with so much power and money. In the right situation, however, Williamson can become one of the ten best players in the world as he was in college with Duke.
If the Warriors swoop in and offer a first-round pick with Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Gary Payton II, New Orleans might take a look and might pull the trigger on the deal to finally move on from the Zion drama and give Brandon Ingram some hustle players. Young prospect Kuminga can take some of the defensive responsibility and can be molded into a full-time starter under a good coach. Draymond and Payton II can also play pivotal roles, but no doubt, it is obvious who wins this deal.
Zion Williamson with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins would be overkill. The big man, through 29 games, averaged 26.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 4.6 APG this season and had flashes of brilliance. Williamson can do it all on both ends of the floor, 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 a powerhouse paint figure with arguably the softest touch around the rim and elite offensive rebounding.
The Warriors will have to change their philosophy if they do acquire Williamson, although the big man will be able to adapt because of his ability to space the floor and also get to the rim in less than a few dribbles. 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 Wiggins and Poole are capable of playing off of stars, as proved last year. Curry and Zion 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 Zion on the floor, Golden State becomes the favorites to win it all, with Curry, Klay, Wiggins, Zion, and Kevon Looney occupying the starting five with Poole coming off the bench. Even if Golden State goes small, the lineup would be deadly with Curry, Poole, Klay, Wiggins, and Zion. This new “Death Lineup” would strike fear in any team’s heart.
New Orleans Make Brandon Ingram Their Focal Point And Gain Experience
The New Orleans Pelicans made the play-in tournament, and that isn’t exactly the best position to be in. The Zion Williamson drama could be weighing on them because having to explain why the youngster is always injured while dealing with countless questions about the player’s future is not conducive to a winning culture. At the same time, Zion Williamson himself might have lost trust in the Pelicans franchise. They have bright pieces in All-Star Brandon Ingram along with Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jonas Valanciunas, and scorer CJ McCollum, so why not give those guys an experienced leader in Draymond Green, a defensive wing in Gary Payton II, and some more young players?
A starting lineup with McCollum, Ingram, Kumingaa, Green, and Valanciunas would be difficult to play against. McCollum and Ingram are the offensive stars of the team, and Draymond’s presence on defense would make Valanciunas a more formidable presence down low. The additions of Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody also greatly improve depth as head coach Willie Green can fortify his rotation. Kuminga (20 years old) and Moody (20 years old) fit into New Orleans’ game plan because both guys will compete on both ends and learn the ropes through playing experience.
The Pelicans seem to be a team that would do well to make the playoffs but are nothing more than a first-round exit as their roster stands with Zion in and out of the lineup. A trade that sends Zion Williamson to Golden State means the Pelicans acquire four new rotation pieces as the focus comes on a 25-year-old All-Star in Brandon Ingram. A roster that has Ingram and McCollum leading the way with Valanciunas, Kuminga, Jones, Murphy III, Moody, and Payton II means there are a lot of players who can be trusted to play big minutes. In an open Western Conference, they might also be a lock for the playoffs going forward as the youngsters develop and Green provides playoff experience.
The Warriors Win It All Next Season And Have A New Franchise Cornerstone
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, Zion Williamson is not any ordinary big man. The superstar is incredibly explosive and quick and is a gifted passer, rebounder, and improving shooter. Zion can literally finish over defenders and can play on or off the ball due to his basketball IQ. Alongside Steph, Klay, Poole, and Wiggins, Williamson can be the center in an even deadlier “Death Lineup.” Andrew Wiggins can be a power forward alongside Zion Williamson because both players can defend multiple positions and are extremely athletic.
The Warriors will have to accept losing four rotational pieces and a first-round pick, but they must go all-in for a 5th championship with Stephen Curry as their best player because the point guard is 35 years old and will not get younger. With Zion, the Warriors are the favorites to win it all next year, with supreme shooting, athleticism, and versatility at the heart of their team. Even more so, the Warriors have their future intact, as Zion is only 22 years old and will be the new franchise player for the team once Curry and Klay hang it up. A chance to go after one of the most hyped and promising prospects in NBA history is a no-brainer for Golden State, and expect them to go all-in for the superstar forward.
The Pelicans won’t be happy losing Zion Williamson, but not having your best player trust a franchise is a bad look. The youngster belongs in an organization that can keep him healthy and motivated, and the Pelicans haven’t done a great job so far. Rebuilding quickly and not missing the playoffs thanks to an assortment of young players is the ideal situation when losing a franchise player, as Kuminga could become the two-way star we anticipate he can become.
Draymond Green’s veteran experience will also play a vital role in Ingram’s progression as a star wing and provide a playoff push for the youngsters to make strides. New Orleans has made great strides over the past few years, but more needs to be done for the team to reach another level and start having opposing teams respect them a little more. While Golden State becomes the title favorites over the next few years and has a new franchise player in town, the Pelicans can quickly re-tool and add veteran experience to a very young core.
