The Golden State Warriors are looking towards the play-in tournament as a means to get into the playoffs and shock the world. Last season, the Warriors made it to the second round but fell short against the Los Angeles Lakers. This season, it could be different because the dynasty we once knew could be dying. With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr looking for reinforcements, here are the seven blockbuster trade scenarios for the Warriors this summer.
Karl-Anthony Towns
2023-24 Season Statistics: 22.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, 2028 First-Round Pick
Karl-Anthony Towns, a former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 Draft, has showcased his ability to dominate both inside and outside the paint, making him an ideal fit alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Warriors’ system. Pairing Towns with Curry would create a formidable offensive duo. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting (career 39.8% from three) would open up driving lanes for Curry and provide additional spacing on the perimeter.
Furthermore, Towns’ proficiency in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop situations could result in lethal combinations with Curry orchestrating the offense. Defensively, Towns’ rim protection and rebounding prowess would significantly bolster the Warriors’ frontcourt alongside Green. While Green is known for his defensive IQ and versatility, adding Towns would provide the Warriors with a legitimate rim deterrent and a dominant presence on the boards, fixing their 21st defensive rating.
With Klay Thompson potentially returning in free agency, the Warriors would boast a star-studded lineup featuring Curry, Thompson, Towns, and Green. The Minnesota Timberwolves are doing a great job in the West this season but things can change quickly if they are bounced early in the playoffs and want to rebuild around Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert by adding four excellent rotation pieces.
Jimmy Butler
2023-24 Season Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, 2028 First-Round Pick
With his 2023-24 season statistics reflecting his prowess as a scorer, playmaker, and elite defender, Jimmy Butler would offer a balanced contribution to the Warriors’ existing core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Offensively, Butler’s ability to create his own shot and operate in isolation situations would provide the Warriors with an additional scoring option, particularly in clutch moments when the offense stagnates when Curry deals with double teams.
His playmaking skills would also allow him to facilitate for teammates, finding open shooters like Curry or cutting big men like Green. Moreover, Butler’s aggressiveness in getting to the free-throw line would provide the Warriors with more opportunities to score efficiently and control the tempo of the game. Defensively, Butler’s tenacity and commitment would align perfectly with the Warriors’ defensive principles.
His ability to guard multiple positions would allow the Warriors to switch seamlessly on defense, disrupting the opponent’s offensive schemes and limiting their scoring opportunities. Paired with Green, who excels in help defense and rim protection, Butler would contribute to creating a defensive juggernaut capable of shutting down opposing teams’ best players. The Warriors need help with defense and Butler could help save the dying dynasty.
Paul George (Sign-And-Trade)
2023-24 Season Statistics: 22.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, 2028 First-Round Pick
The addition of Paul George through a sign-and-trade would undoubtedly make the Golden State Warriors one of the most formidable teams in the NBA. The superstar swingman has a player option of over $48 million next season but could be rejected for a long-term deal in a sign-and-trade scenario.
His ability to create his own shot, shoot from beyond the arc (41.2% this season), and finish at the rim would provide the Warriors with another high-caliber scoring option alongside Curry and Thompson. Defensively, George’s length, athleticism, and defensive instincts would fit seamlessly into the Warriors’ defensive scheme. His ability to guard multiple positions, contest shots, and generate steals would make the Warriors even more formidable on the defensive end.
The Clippers won’t want to lose Paul George for free but getting back Andrew Wiggins and some role players would ensure they don’t have to rebuild around Kawhi Leonard and can instead re-tool. If the Clippers fail in the playoffs again, it might be time to move on from George.
Brandon Ingram
2023-24 Season Statistics: 20.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, 2028 First-Round Pick
Brandon Ingram’s ability to create his own shot, drive to the basket, and shoot from the perimeter would provide the Warriors with an additional scoring threat alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. His length and athleticism would also allow him to excel in transition, where the Warriors thrive, and his playmaking skills would enable him to facilitate for his teammates and keep the offense moving fluidly.
While this trade would involve parting ways with some young talent and future assets, the 26-year-old could be a long-term piece alongside Jonathan Kuminga going forward. The Warriors want to win right now while Stephen Curry is still in his prime but they also need to look towards the future. Ingram fits the bill on both accounts and the Pelicans might be willing to move the swingman to rebuild around Zion Williamson.
Mikal Bridges
2023-24 Season Statistics: 20.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, 2028 First-Round Pick
Acquiring Mikal Bridges would add a valuable two-way wing player to the Golden State Warriors’ roster. Bridges’ high basketball IQ, efficient scoring, and three-point shooting ability (37.1%) would complement the Warriors’ offensive system well. His ability to move without the ball, cut to the basket, and knock down open shots would make him a reliable scoring option alongside Curry and Thompson.
Additionally, Bridges’ playmaking and decision-making in transition would fit seamlessly with the Warriors’ fast-paced style of play. Defensively, Bridges’ length, quickness, and defensive instincts would make him a valuable asset in the Warriors’ defensive scheme. His ability to guard multiple positions, contest shots, and generate steals would bolster the Warriors’ perimeter defense and contribute to their overall defensive intensity.
Playing alongside defensive anchors like Green and potentially Thompson would further enhance Bridges’ defensive impact and help solidify the Warriors’ defensive identity. At 27 years old, he also has many more years left in the tank and could be the poor man’s version of Kevin Durant for the Warriors going forward.
DeMar DeRozan (Sign-And-Trade)
2023-24 Season Statistics: 23.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, 2028 First-Round Pick
The Chicago Bulls might need to rebuild sooner rather than later and the first player they can move is isolation specialist DeMar DeRozan. Even if he isn’t an elite three-point shooter, averaging only 32.1% from three this season, DeRozan can bring a different type of player to Golden State’s offense when it comes to scoring the ball in crunch time.
Too often, the Warriors are relying on Stephen Curry to score and it hasn’t worked out as well as the team wants when the playoffs arrive. Curry needs help and DeRozan could be the one to deliver that. Posting 23.5 points per game, DeRozan can still average 20 PPG in his sleep and his athleticism on the wing makes him a useful player when it comes to switching as well.
The Bulls could welcome in Wiggins and Podziemski along with a first-round pick as the rebuild begins. The Warriors will likely want Klay Thompson back for floor-spacing if DeRozan is acquired, to give more shooters around the swingman. DeRozan is a free agent so this deal will only go through via a sign-and-trade situation to give the Bulls some assets instead of losing the player for nothing.
Jerami Grant
2023-24 Season Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Trade Package: Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody (Team Option), 2028 First-Round Pick
Jerami Grant is a player who will fit into Golden State’s system when it comes to switching on the perimeter and also providing an offensive weapon inside the paint. Grant has no weakness as a third or fourth option because he knows his role and does it very well as we saw with his days in Denver. Luckily for the Warriors, Portland could be rebuilding and want to tank.
That means the Warriors can acquire the swingman for a package including Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody along with a first-round pick. Moody has a ton of potential and will only improve on both ends of the court with age and minutes, and the Trail Blazers could give him opportunities on the court more than the 17.6 minutes per game he got this season.
Grant can knock down the corner three (40.2% from three this season), attack the basket, and also crash the boards at a high level. The forward is only 30 years old and has a few more seasons at a high level so he could be the perfect backup option for Golden State
