The Golden State Warriors suffered a disappointing season, finishing with the 10th seed in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs after a play-in defeat to the Sacramento Kings. Despite Stephen Curry averaging 26.4 points per game on 40.8% shooting from three, the Warriors were a shell of their former selves and desperately need to re-tool their roster to save their dynasty. In the smartest way possible, the Warriors can make moves to have a bonafide superteam to become favorites for the 2024-25 season.
Chris Paul Gets Waived
Chris Paul is a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest point guards of all time. However, that isn’t the case as he approaches 40 years old towards the end of next season. Paul averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game on 37.1% from three in 26.4 minutes per game off the bench, but he struggled to stay healthy and appeared in only 58 games.
Playing Paul $30,800,000 next season is obviously not the best way to keep the Warriors dynasty going strong, but there is a way out for the franchise. The veteran point guard’s $30.8M contract becomes guaranteed on June 28th. This gives Golden State several options: they can use the expiring salary in a trade, guarantee the contract and keep the player, waive the contract allow the player to enter free agency, or mutually agree to push the guarantee date back.
It is more than likely Chris Paul will get waived, meaning the Warriors will make room for themselves and focus on creating a superteam around superstar Stephen Curry. Chris Paul might be going for the final season of his career and the Warriors want to extend their championship window a little longer than that.
The Warriors Land Karl-Anthony Towns In Blockbuster Trade
Karl-Anthony Towns had a terrific run with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, but playing second (and sometimes third) fiddle to Anthony Edwards and even Naz Reid means a change of scenery could be welcomed.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis, 2025 First-Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick
The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Golden State Warriors could be a game-changer. Towns is an elite big man with exceptional shooting range, versatility, and ability to stretch the floor. Teaming up with Stephen Curry, Towns would form a formidable pick-and-pop duo, creating unprecedented spacing and three-point shooting. This season, Towns posted 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on 41.6% shooting from three as one of the best-shooting big men of all time.
Curry’s unmatched gravity on the perimeter would open up numerous opportunities for Towns, and the latter would be the most skilled big man Curry has ever played with. Towns’ presence would alleviate some of the scoring burden from Curry, providing another go-to option who can create his own shot and dominate inside and out.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, this trade represents a significant reshaping of their roster. Jonathan Kuminga (16.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG) brings a wealth of promise and all-around talent to a young Timberwolves team and could elevate the Western Conference Finalists with his athleticism. His ability to anchor a defense and grow with young players like Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels would be invaluable.
Andrew Wiggins’ return to Minnesota marks a homecoming for the former Timberwolves star, but this time, he arrives as a more mature and polished player. Wiggins has developed into a reliable two-way player, capable of providing scoring bursts and solid perimeter defense, and could give Minnesota another two-way player.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, the promising rookie, adds another layer of potential to the Timberwolves’ frontcourt while Kevon Looney adds to Minnesota’s size. The inclusion of two future first-round picks (2025 and 2027) gives the Timberwolves valuable assets to either use in future trades or to continue building through the draft.
In essence, the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns would not only provide the Warriors with the best big man Stephen Curry has ever played with but also elevate their offensive and defensive capabilities, while the Timberwolves gain valuable assets and veteran leadership for their young core led by superstar Anthony Edwards.
The Warriors Shock The World And Acquire Jimmy Butler
The next step is to target one of the best two-way players of his generation, Jimmy Butler, in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history.
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat Receive: Klay Thompson (Sign-And-Trade), Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II (Accepts $9.1M Player Option), 2024 Second-Round Pick (MIL), 2026 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
Klay Thompson’s time in Golden State is likely over. There are a handful of teams that are capable and willing to offer the four-time NBA champion a lot of money this summer, which means the future Hall of Famer will likely move on to greener (no pun intended) pastures and could be used in a sign-and-trade situation to negotiate with the Miami Heat.
With Thompson gone, the Warriors can focus their efforts on surrounding Stephen Curry with the best possible players who can defend, hit shots, and play elite winning basketball to save the dynasty. While Thompson’s place in the Hall of Fame is solidified and Warriors fans will miss one-half of the “Splash Brothers”, time goes on, and moving on is usually the best case for NBA players looking for the last big contract before retirement.
Meanwhile, Thompson would be a perfect player for the Miami Heat with a chance to still play for a title contender in another big market alongside stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. He averaged 17.9 points per game on 38.7% from three this season, showing he can still stroke the ball. Brandin Podziemski also gets his chance to develop into a long-term starter at point guard, and Miami’s core is still set up for success. However, the biggest winners in this deal are the Golden State Warriors.
Jimmy Butler’s time in Miami could be up following Pat Riley’s comments on his star player earlier in the season. Social media is on fire with every rumor about Butler potentially joining Golden State, which is why a trade is perfectly possible. Butler’s arrival would bring a new layer of toughness, defensive intensity, and scoring ability to an already talented team.
With his elite two-way play (averaging 20.8 points and 5.0 assists per game on 41.4% from three), Butler would add a competitive edge that perfectly aligns with the Warriors’ championship aspirations. Pairing Butler with Stephen Curry and Karl-Anthony Towns would create a formidable trio, capable of challenging any title contender including the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Milwaukee Bucks. Draymond Green’s presence makes this fit even better because he shares the same playing style and mentality that Butler has.
Butler’s ability to score in clutch situations, defend the opposing team’s best player, and make plays for his teammates would make him an invaluable asset for Golden State. His versatile skill set would seamlessly integrate into the Warriors’ system, which emphasizes ball movement, unselfish play, and high basketball IQ.
Free Agents Signings
With a new Big Three in place and Kevon Looney still assuming his spot at the starting center position, the Warriors will look towards the free agent market to look for the shooting guard position and also fill out their bench. With three players on max deals, the Warriors will look for veteran minimum deals and players looking to take a pay cut to compete for an NBA championship.
Cameron Payne, a dynamic point guard who averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 assists per game, would be an excellent fit as a backup to Curry, providing energy and scoring off the bench. Payne’s ability to run the offense and his experience in high-pressure playoff situations make him a valuable addition while a player like Alec Burks can stroke the three (38.3%) and play both guard positions would add depth and flexibility.
Cedi Osman offers a versatile wing option with solid three-point shooting (38.9% in 2023-24) and defensive capabilities and Gordon Hayward, if willing to accept a veteran minimum deal at 34 years old, would bring veteran leadership and all-around skills to the team.
In terms of big man depth, Dario Saric’s versatility as a stretch four (37.6% 3-PT FG) would provide valuable depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns, and Bol Bol, a young and intriguing prospect, could be a low-risk, high-reward signing.
The Golden State Warriors Become The Title-Favorites In 2024-25
With two new superstars and free agents on board, along with some key departures, the Warriors are built and ready to go all-in for the 2024-25 season with an exceptional depth chart.
Starters: Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Karl-Anthony Towns
Bench: Cameron Payne, Alec Burks, Cedi Osman, Gordon Hayward, Gui Santos, Dario Saric, Bol Bol
With the addition of two new superstars, Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, alongside strategic free agent signings, the Golden State Warriors have positioned themselves as title favorites for the 2024-25 NBA season. The starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Karl-Anthony Towns combines elite scoring, defensive prowess, and veteran leadership.
Moses Moody is expected to take on the starting shooting guard role, primarily due to his fit and experience within the Warriors’ system. Moody’s ability to space the floor, play solid defense, and contribute offensively makes him an ideal complement to the star-studded lineup. However, the Warriors have the flexibility to shuffle their roster if needed, allowing them to adapt to various matchups and situations throughout the season.
The Warriors’ bench is equally impressive, featuring a host of hustle-first players and two-way players that have experience. Cameron Payne’s dynamic playmaking and scoring off the bench (7.4 PPG, 2.6 APG) will provide valuable support to Curry, ensuring the Warriors maintain their offensive intensity even when their starters rest. Alec Burks’ versatility and scoring ability offer a reliable sixth-man option, while Cedi Osman’s three-point shooting (38.9%) and defensive skills add crucial depth on the wing. Gordon Hayward, if healthy, brings veteran leadership and all-around skills (9.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.1 APG), enhancing the team’s flexibility and experience.
The Warriors will become the favorites in the 2024-25 season to make the NBA Finals and also have a window that could last two or three years as a whole. Going all-in for Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Warriors create an exciting Big Four with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green that could be one of the greatest of all time. The Warriors dynasty is currently reeling, but making two blockbuster moves keeps it going for another two seasons with a fifth NBA championship guaranteed at least.
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