The Golden State Warriors are currently in a tough situation for a number of reasons right now. They have had a poor start to the year and are in danger of falling out of a playoff position in the Western Conference due to Stephen Curry’s shoulder injury. The injury is rumored to force him to miss a few weeks.
- Buddy Hield And Myles Turner Immediately Bring A Veteran Presence To The Warriors
- The Pacers Get A Two-Way Guard And Future Draft Picks
- This Is A Win-Win Trade For Both Teams
- Next
- 10 Greatest Golden State Warriors Players Of All Time
- Los Angeles Lakers All-Time Leaders In Major Categories
- Warriors Wilt Chamberlain vs. Warriors Stephen Curry Career Comparison
- Los Angeles Lakers All-Time Leaders In Major Categories
- Kobe Bryant’s Career-High Against Every NBA Team: 81 Points Against The Raptors Are The Record Of The 21st Century
Perhaps the Golden State Warriors could make a win-now trade to try and maximize the rest of Stephen Curry’s prime. Our trade scenario features the team moving Klay Thompson with draft compensation to get veteran Buddy Hield and Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers.
Golden State Warriors Receive: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: Klay Thompson, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW)
There is no doubt that this trade has benefits for both teams, with the Warriors benefitting in particular due to them immediately getting reinforcements that can help them compete immediately.
Buddy Hield And Myles Turner Immediately Bring A Veteran Presence To The Warriors
Though the Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA championship, it is clear that the team has not been playing at that level. Their defense hasn’t been elite this year, and the team hasn’t been able to go on a run and ensure that they stay in a playoff position. The time for change could be here.
In this trade scenario, the Golden State Warriors would receive two key veterans that could help them win a championship this season. Since the team is trading Klay Thompson, they will likely need a high-volume 3PT shooter who can play a similar role. Buddy Hield is the perfect candidate for this role, as he is an elite off-ball player who is currently putting up 17.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.6 APG while shooting 39.0% from beyond the arc. His skill set is very similar to Klay Thompson’s, and even though Klay Thompson is slightly better on defense, Buddy Hield could definitely thrive in the Warriors’ system in his position.
On top of getting Buddy Hield, the Golden State Warriors would also receive Myles Turner in this scenario. He would immediately be the starting center for this team, and his shot-blocking and 3PT shooting suggest that he would thrive on the Warriors, who have defense and 3PT shooting as a point of emphasis. He and Draymond Green would form an elite defensive frontcourt, and his 3PT shooting would open up their offense even more.
Though trading Klay Thompson should be the last resort due to his value and history with the franchise, this could be the trade to do it. The Golden State Warriors don’t have a lot of time left to win as a veteran team, and the time to go all-in is now.
The Pacers Get A Two-Way Guard And Future Draft Picks
For the Indiana Pacers, this trade is about the draft compensation. Both the 2025 and 2027 picks from the Golden State Warriors could end up being valuable, as those picks would fall in years where the Warriors could potentially be out of contention. That would make it worth it for the Indiana Pacers to take on Klay Thompson’s contract, which goes on through the end of next season. As he would be on an expiring contract next year, the Indiana Pacers could also elect to trade him in another deal with a team seeking to clear salary.
As far as this season goes, Klay Thompson could potentially be a good fit next to point guard Tyrese Haliburton due to his ability to score within the flow of the game and be a shooting guard that primarily operates off-ball. Since Tyrese Haliburton has thrived with Buddy Hield as his backcourt partner, his partnership with Klay Thompson could end up having the same result. Klay Thompson’s championship experience could also end up helping the team’s young players in the long run, as he could potentially teach them what it takes to win at the highest level. This is a transitional year for the Indiana Pacers, and taking on Klay Thompson’s contract wouldn’t necessarily hurt their rebuild.
The Indiana Pacers are a team that is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference, and they have the same record as the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks, who are 7th and 8th, respectively. The Eastern Conference is loaded with talent this year, and if the Indiana Pacers continue to lose as we head closer to the trade deadline, they could decide to bottom out and do this deal.
This Is A Win-Win Trade For Both Teams
This trade is a win-win proposition for both franchises. Both teams walk away from this trade, feeling as if they’ve gained something. Obviously, there are things that may end up happening throughout the season that adjust how good this deal is for both franchises.
The Golden State Warriors would be able to make a win-now move for two players who are perfect fits in their system. Buddy Hield and Myles Turner could help them play competitive basketball while Stephen Curry is out, and they would be elite complementary players next to him as well.
The Indiana Pacers would be able to bottom out and try to tank for an elite prospect. Victor Wembanyama headlines the 2023 NBA Draft, and if the Pacers drafted him to play next to Tyrese Haliburton, that would make for some must-watch basketball.
It remains to be seen if the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers end up contacting one another about this deal. This is a solid proposition for both franchises, and perhaps we will hear about the two teams working on a trade with a similar framework in the future.
