According to several reports, the struggling Golden State Warriors are open to making major changes to their roster prior to the February 9th trade deadline. The team has reportedly made every player available in trade discussions except for superstar Stephen Curry.
Warriors Endure Disappointing First Half
After winning the NBA championship in 2023, the Warriors had hopes of defending their title this season. However, injuries and inconsistent play have led to a disappointing 26-22 start, currently placing them 5th in the Western Conference.
The Warriors are scoring just 112.7 points per game (21st in NBA) and rank 25th in defensive rating at 115.9. Their net rating of -3.2 ranks 22nd in the league. The core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green that led the dynasty years have not been the same, with Curry having to carry too heavy a load at times.
Injuries have also plagued the team once again. Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and JaMychal Green have all missed significant time already. Of particular concern is Draymond Green’s troublesome back injury that required epidural injections, which puts his availability moving forward into question.
Key Warriors Stats This Season
| Stat | Value | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 26-22 | 5th in West |
| Offensive Rating | 112.7 | 21st |
| Defensive Rating | 115.9 | 25th |
| Net Rating | -3.2 | 22nd |
Everyone But Steph Available in Trade Talks
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Warriors have made every player on their roster available in trade discussions except Stephen Curry. The team is open to discussing deals involving former All-Stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, young talents Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman, 3-and-D wing Andrew Wiggins and more.
The Warriors are believed to be seeking frontcourt help and wing scoring in particular. Players like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Jerami Grant and John Collins have been mentioned as trade targets. With the team’s 2029 first-round pick as a strong asset after the Stepien Rule restrictions end this summer, the Warriors have more ammo to make win-now deals compared to recent years.
After seeing the same core win 4 championships but falter recently due to age and health, the Warriors appear ready to make difficult decisions for the chance to maximize Curry’s remaining prime years.
Klay, Draymond Likely Stay Put
However, follow up reports from Anthony Slater at The Athletic indicate that core pieces Thompson, Green and rookie Jonathan Kuminga are “highly unlikely” to be moved at the deadline.
The team values the championship DNA and experience Thompson and Green provide. And Kuminga’s athletic upside remains very high at just 21 years old.
So while the team may be taking calls on the full roster, talks likely center around role players like Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody and James Wiseman for upgrades that fit alongside Curry and the core. Packaging future draft picks and young players for win-now veterans appears to be the priority.
Names like Eric Gordon, Josh Richardson, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and others have been floated as more likely peripheral trade targets.
Next Steps and Expectations Moving Forward
Making a move around the fringes may not shift the needle enough for a true championship run this season. Bigger swings for players like Jerami Grant, John Collins or Myles Turner could require mega-offers including one of Thompson or Green that the team does not appear ready to make at this juncture.
More likely, the Warriors will continue evaluating this current group after the deadline. If better health and improved play do not materialize down the stretch, more drastic changes could come in the 2024 offseason.
For now, the team remains committed to keeping its championship core intact while trying to upgrade the supporting cast. But the message has been sent clearly throughout the league – no one but Curry is untouchable long-term for the right return.
How the roster looks on February 10th and what seed the Warriors can clinch are the next data points to monitor. But the groundwork has been laid for Curry to potentially take on a LeBron-like GM role in shaping Golden State’s roster this summer if the team disappoints again.
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