The Golden State Warriors fell to another heartbreaking loss this season after getting gamed by Nikola Jokic in a game where they blew an 18-point lead. There are multiple factors people can blame, but the Warriors’ roster being inherently weak is one of the primary reasons. Not improving before the trade deadline would seal their fate as a team that can’t realistically compete for a title this season, so they need to address that. Draymond Green not being available is another major factor.
The Toronto Raptors just parted with OG Anunoby and should be looking to move Pascal Siakam before the end of the deadline. The Warriors should target Siakam and could use players like Green and Wiggins in a three-team deal that sees Draymond arrive as a veteran leader in Indiana that can address their defensive concerns.
Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Nwora, Andrew Nembhard, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW)
Indiana Pacers Receive: Draymond Green, Gary Payton II
Golden State Warriors Receive: Pascal Siakam, Buddy Hield
The Raptors can’t use Draymond, so involving Indiana to get them a high-IQ defender and solidify their status as contenders in the East would be perfect. Meanwhile, the Warriors add a sniper and a versatile big man like Siakam who would thrive in their set-up.
The Raptors Get Valuable Players And A Draft Asset
Moving on from Siakam won’t be easy for Toronto if they want a haul of draft assets, as no team would be willing to give up picks for an expiring contract. Given that OG Anunoby was just traded for a second-round pick and two young players, the Warriors, and Pacers have players to offer that could be rotational and possible long-term pieces for Toronto.
Andrew Wiggins gets to come home and form a frontcourt duo with Scottie Barnes, as long as he can tap back into the player we saw two seasons ago. He’s averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds this season. Even if he stutters on the court, the Raptors would find marketing gold by bringing him and RJ Barrett back to Canada and playing for the Raptors.
Andrew Nembhard is a valuable young guard who could grow into a set-up where the only talented young guard is Immanuel Quickley, who they acquired last week. Nembhard is averaging 7.7 points and 4.0 assists this season. Along with him, Jordan Nwora needs to be included to make the salaries eligible, and the Pacers can find a way to replace the 10-minute-a-game forward internally. His minimum contract won’t impact Toronto either, who could realistically waive him.
The Pacers Establish A Defensive Identity
The Pacers are overloaded on offense and it’s been incredible to watch. But as Rock Carlisle learned with the Dallas Mavericks in the first three years of Luka Doncic‘s career, a historically good offense can’t carry you past the first round if you don’t have defenders. The Pacers are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and need to reinforce on that front. Moving off an expiring contract like Buddy lands them that with a troubled forward who could have a renaissance.
Draymond Green is serving his second behavior-related suspension of the season currently. Green has been causing more problems than solving them for Golden State in the last two seasons. With the salary situation Golden State is in, paying Green for four more seasons with a team where he isn’t gelling with the youngsters is a problem. He’s averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, and could find his swagger in Indiana as they need a high-IQ defender to fix their issues.
Green would also allow Myles Turner to excel as a shot-blocker, as he’s been one of the most proficient rim-protectors in the NBA but is being let down by a lack of perimeter defenders. Green along with Gary Payton II would be game-changing additions on that front, bringing balance to a Pacers roster that can push towards contention.
The Warriors Add Firepower To Save Their Season
The Warriors are anchoring themselves to the championship veterans that led them to their glory days. If they decide to move off a club legend like Green, they have to get an All-NBA caliber player in return. Pascal Siakam is precisely that, as he’s a mobile forward who could help Steve Kerr return to using his motion offense effectively. This trade also forces Kerr into spotlighting talented young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski.
Siakam is averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in a down year with the Raptors, but was an All-Star last year and would’ve been All-NBA if the Raptors could overlook the dysfunction and become a playoff roster. His versatile big-man play would give the Warriors an option they haven’t had before, as it opens up more opportunities for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson as Siakam would be a must-guard inside the three-point line.
Buddy Hield is averaging 12.7 points on 38.1% from three this season. The Warriors’ shooting inconsistencies have sunk them repeatedly this season, including last night in the fourth quarter against Denver. Adding a sniper like Hield would add more perimeter gravity to the squad but also make them unguardable. The defense will become more of a team effort, but the offense could take them back to their glory days.
Everyone Walks Away Happy
This deal should address what all three teams are looking for. The Warriors have been drowning offensively without Stephen Curry, as they need him to consistently cross 30 points to even be competitive at times. Klay Thompson is wildly inconsistent and there aren’t any natural scorers in Golden State. Adding Siakam and Hield improves that, but losing Green will be a culture shock that the team will have to deal with, it could make them better and provide salary flexibility heading into next summer, with both Hield and Siakam being expiring contracts.
The Pacers have heard offers for Hield many times but have valued him highly. Moving him along with a promising young player like Nembhard would be useful especially if it lands them a defender of Green’s caliber. His communication on defense would help the Pacers, and his ability to pressure scorers on all three levels will be very useful, especially with Myles Turner as the shot-blocker at the rim. Gary Payton II would be a big addition too, provided he stays healthy.
The Raptors have shown a proclivity for getting useful players instead of salary dumps. Wiggins and Nembhard as players that they can extract great value from. Nwora is a decent wing on a minimum contract, so he can’t even be called a dump. There’s value to be extracted for Toronto as they find a way to remain competitive and add depth to the roster around Scottie Barnes.
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