It has been some time since we have been to the mailbag, so let’s not delay any longer because it was packed to the brim after one other disastrous week for the Dubs:
With the entire wage cap system in place, which appears designed to crush the Warriors, is there something they’ll do in trades that will make a distinction? Or is the NBA simply working as anticipated?
-Sharon R.
The system works, that is for certain. You possibly can see this within the NBA commerce market. Three player-for-player trades have been made this season, as many groups throughout the league are hamstrung by the league’s new guidelines, which have created legit arduous caps and restricted wage aggregation.
And do not forget that final offseason, the Warriors misplaced $30 million in wage after they jettisoned Chris Paul simply to keep away from the luxurious tax.
NBA homeowners wished a system that will maintain big-market, big-spending groups just like the Warriors in line, they usually acquired it.
However the Warriors’ struggles should not be blamed on the brand new luxurious tax guidelines: The Dubs had ample alternative, earlier than and after the adjustments, to make basic adjustments to their roster. They may have landed the No. 2 decide for Steph Curry ultimately 12 months’s commerce deadline, this previous offseason, or in some unspecified time in the future this season.
They have not and there is no plan to repair the group’s No. 1 downside.
Nevertheless, there are potential trades that would make a distinction for the Warriors, who’re three video games again of the No. 5 seed within the Western Convention standings as of Thursday morning.
Buying Nikola Vučević from the Bulls can be a kind of strikes. A half measure? Perhaps. But it surely’s a measure, and it means one thing.
The rebounding, soft-shooting massive would slot in properly subsequent to Draymond Inexperienced and/or Jonathan Kuminga (the 2 cannot play collectively except Inexperienced is at heart), which is uncommon within the league. He will be the point of interest of the offense when Steph Curry is off the court docket, and whereas I doubt he closes out each sport on account of his lax protection, I do not assume he would value greater than Gary Payton II, Kyle Anderson, and Kevon Looney – three different non-closing gamers.
Add a super-protected first-round decide (I am considering top-20 safety for subsequent 12 months’s first) and tackle super-deep level guard Jevon Carter within the deal, and the Warriors, I imagine, can be a step or two higher.
Robert Williams can be a stellar pickup for the Blazers and provides the Warriors a real rim protector. Auxiliary gamers will be drafted in a three-, four-, or five-team commerce.
There are numerous situations. Suffice it to say, one thing can and needs to be finished so as to add high quality gamers to this group.
One factor you have not written about is their unbelievable INABILITY to attain when, normally within the second half, the opposing group decides to play zone protection.
—Package Ok.
Chronicle of December 4 It was 14 losses in the past, Wednesday night time, for the Warriors. I will forgive you for forgetting that I used to be a part of the Dubs’ late-game struggles — which resulted in a five-game dropping streak from which the group by no means actually recovered — again within the day.
This has been an issue for the Dubs for a very long time. With out a viable shot creator subsequent to Curry, a 6-foot-3 guard should do every part on offense. I do not care who it’s – it would not play into the fashionable sport, the place groups are anticipated to place 30 factors on the board every quarter.
Wednesday’s sport towards the Kings was simply the newest transgression: The Dubs led by 4 with 4 minutes left.
Afterwards, the Kings outscored them 14-4, as Golden State shot 2 of 9 from the sector and dedicated 5 fouls.
It was the sort of late-game mess that will make every other fan base lose their minds. I assume Warriors followers anticipated this to occur.
The Celtics [were] just too massive, throughout the board, for the Warriors to compete, each offensively and defensively. That is one thing I’ve observed for some time, and I believe the necessity for a reliable massive 5 would open up alternatives to attain extra. That stated, I would not commerce [Jonathan Kuminga] as a part of a business bundle (though I do not assume they’ve a lot to supply in any other case). He’s the way forward for the group.
-Mark P.
Let’s discover this remark from Kuminga, as a result of I hear it rather a lot:
Kuminga is the way forward for the group as he’s younger and proficient. These two traits are simple.
However he’s, at finest, an afterthought to a profitable group going ahead. And he is a troublesome individual to take care of.
I am not disputing his character right here, however I’m asking, three years and greater than 5,300 minutes into his NBA profession, what’s he nice at?
He can run on the bottom and leap larger than anybody. It is a good set of abilities to have, so long as it is accompanied by refinement. To this point, this isn’t the case. He would not shoot the 3-pointer properly, he would not actually rebound or cross, he would not defend the rim, and his on-ball protection is proscribed to sure wing varieties.
I get it, he is 22, drafted in 2021. However do not say it is too early to make no less than some willpower on Kuminga. We will do them on his friends Cade Cunningham (All-Star), Franz Wagner (was taking this flip), Scottie Barnes (All-Star) and Evan Mobley (elite defender and burgeoning offensive participant). In the meantime, Josh Giddey and Davion Mitchell – different of Kuminga’s friends within the 2021 draft – have already been jettisoned, as their authentic groups knew they made a mistake in taking them.
That is why I stated Kuminga is the kind of actor who eats up unhealthy entrance workplaces. His expertise is simple and attractive. However expertise solely will get you into the league: realizing your function retains you there.
And this man shouldn’t be Paolo Banchero (22) or Jalen Williams (23), regardless of what he may assume.
If the Warriors maintain Kuminga previous the commerce deadline, they’ve two choices this summer time: prolong him in restricted free company or tender him a qualifying provide, which is a one-year contract ending in unrestricted free company.
The Warriors will shrink back from the chance and do the primary. In the meantime, I anticipate his commerce worth to be decrease – his expertise might not change, however he’ll be a 12 months older, with a bigger enjoying pattern that will not assist his trigger.
An extension for Kuminga would make him the centerpiece of the group’s future by default. As such, the Warriors’ post-Steph rebuild will possible be constructed round a participant who is not ok to be No. 2 at the moment however will, supposedly, be No. 1 in due time; a participant who would not notably excel in both half court docket, however is simply proficient sufficient that you just assume a breakout is imminent.
Properly finished. Now you construct round Keldon Johnson or Harrison Barnes, the previous No. 7 decide within the draft.
Once I ask: “What future?” that is what I imply.
There’s, after all, an opportunity for Kuminga to show the tide and show me improper. However what is the best-case situation right here: He turns into a considerably higher rebounder, defender and passer, making him the subsequent Pascal Siakam?
He isn’t the sort of participant you construct round except your objective is not to win video games.
