- Kawhi Leonard is a perfect fit in the Warriors’ system
- Joel Embiid gives the team a dominant big man
- Giannis Antetokounmpo would make the Warriors an elite team on both ends
The Golden State Warriors have been busy this offseason, trading for point guard Chris Paul and drafting some win-now rookies in the 2023 NBA Draft. There is no doubt that the team’s priority is to win while Stephen Curry is still a superstar, and they certainly have the look of a team that will contend next season.
However, if things don’t end up working out for them, the Golden State Warriors could always make a trade. In this article, we will cover three blockbuster trades the Warriors can make this season.
Kawhi Leonard Gives The Warriors Their Best SF Since Kevin Durant
Golden State Warriors Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, 2027 First-Round Pick
The Golden State Warriors were at their best when they had Kevin Durant, who was a two-way superstar who could score on all three levels and play well within the system. They won a championship with Andrew Wiggins, but most people would agree that he is not close to being as good as Kevin Durant. That is why the Warriors should potentially trade him for Kawhi Leonard.
Last season, Kawhi Leonard averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, while shooting 41.6% from the 3PT range. He has shown that he can be the No. 1 option on a championship team, and the main things that bring down his value are his injury history and his contract situation. There is no doubt that he is the sort of player that the Golden State Warriors need to get back to being the favorite to win the championship. Kawhi Leonard can also play off-ball effectively and isn’t extremely ball-dominant, so he would be a perfect fit within the team’s system.
The reason that Kawhi Leonard could potentially leave the Los Angeles Clippers is because as a star, he is unpredictable. We have seen him leave a championship-winning franchise in Toronto and a respected franchise such as the San Antonio Spurs. If the Los Angeles Clippers aren’t a good team next year, he could easily request a trade.
This package would obviously feature fewer assets than the other ones in this article because Kawhi Leonard is on an expiring contract. Still, the Los Angeles Clippers would get solid value for their star, with great young prospects like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, as well as a former All-Star in Andrew Wiggins.
Joel Embiid Gets The Golden State Warriors A Dominant Big Man
Golden State Warriors Receive: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2024 First-Round Pick Swap (Favoring PHI)
Joel Embiid won the 2022-23 MVP award and was the scoring leader for the season. The only thing that the Golden State Warriors have missed throughout their dynasty is a dominant big man. Joel Embiid is that sort of player, and adding him would definitely diversify their offensive capabilities.
This past season, Joel Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would be the best 3PT shooters that he has played with. They would create a lot of space for him to operate in, and playing with Curry means that he would be in single coverage most of the time. Joel Embiid is an elite scorer in one-on-one situations, and it is clear that offensively he would thrive on the team. Defensively, Joel Embiid and Draymond Green would make an elite frontcourt, and Embiid is the dominant rim protector that the team has been missing.
As of right now, Joel Embiid has not yet requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. However, that situation could change. James Harden will likely be traded from the team at some point, and with his co-star leaving, Joel Embiid could decide that he wants out as well.
This package from the Golden State Warriors heading to the 76ers would feature veterans, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green, alongside Jonathan Kuminga and draft compensation. Jonathan Kuminga is a fantastic prospect, and he has shown flashes of greatness when driving to the rim. Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green could be kept on the team if they decide to compete or rerouted if they are trying to rebuild. Overall, this is a solid package from a value standpoint.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Would Make The Golden State Warriors Unstoppable
Golden State Warriors Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gary Payton II, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2024 First-Round Pick Swap (Favoring MIL)
Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a trade right now seems unlikely, as he is a loyal superstar and has previously expressed a desire to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks for his entire career. They were also contenders last season, and look to be contenders once again going into next season. With that being said, things can change quickly in the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks have an aging core: Jrue Holiday is 33, Khris Middleton is 32, and Brook Lopez is 35. Veterans can often start declining at that age, and those 3 players getting worse means the Bucks would get a lot worse as well.
If the Bucks aren’t contenders, then Giannis Antetokounmpo could end up requesting a trade. That means that the Warriors could pounce on the opportunity to get him, and they could definitely field a competitive package.
This package heading to the Milwaukee Bucks would be based around Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II, as well as a number of young players. The veterans could potentially be traded down the line for more future assets, and the young players could get developmental minutes. If the Bucks go the rebuild route, then they could trade the other veterans on their roster to get picks and young players as well.
There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a great addition to the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Antetokounmpo is a dominant paint presence, and he would add more rim pressure to the team. On top of that, he would elevate the team’s defense to the next level. There is practically no downside to adding Giannis Antetokounmpo to the team, and if the Warriors are able to get him, they should exhaust every opportunity to do so.
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