Armed now with De’Anthony Melton’s expiring contract and almost all of their future draft property, it appears unlikely that the Golden State Warriors will maintain out and never make a major transfer earlier than the February 6 commerce deadline.
The Warriors have a couple of areas they may look to fill – the beginning two guard place stays a priority since Melton’s season-ending damage, whereas the necessity for an additional go-to scorer was evident within the Curry’s absence throughout Wednesday’s shut loss to Oklahoma Metropolis. Thunder at Chase Middle.
One other longer-term problem has been Golden State’s lack of a succesful, spaced-out huge man to enrich the defensive skills of Draymond Inexperienced, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney. That is an space the Warriors have by no means correctly addressed for the reason that departures of Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica after the 2022 championship, with JaMychal Inexperienced and Dario Saric disappointing as choices over the previous two seasons. .
If the Warriors need to exit and search an enormous upside utilizing Melton’s wage and draft property, then look no additional than Toronto Raptors middle Kelly Olynyk. With the Raptors actually in rebuilding mode with a present file of 5-14, Olynyk might change into an possibility for Golden State and different playoff-contending groups.
A Warrior commerce for the 33-year-old has actually gained traction within the wake of Melton’s damage. In a report for The Athletic Final week, Anthony Slater stated that “Melton’s contract, hooked up to a draft decide, might assist discover a succesful rotation participant in January or February on a crew just like the Raptors or Nets.”
Provided that Olynyk has the very same $12.8 million wage as Melton, it is unclear who Slater was referring to when mentioning a succesful Raptors rotation participant. Jake Fischer from The Bleacher Report was additionally not too long ago referenced Golden State’s curiosity in Olynyk dates again to final season’s deadline, the place he was finally traded from the Utah Jazz to Toronto.
Responding to Fischer’s report, Amos César Mina from Raptors breakup declared that “If Golden State comes up with a serious draft or features a younger asset within the combine, then it could be ideally suited for Toronto to divest itself of Olynyk’s providers.”
This appears too logical on all sides for it to not be an actual chance within the coming weeks. Olynyk has but to make his debut this season as he recovers from a again pressure, however that would really work within the Warriors’ favor when it comes to the worth the Raptors might anticipate to see in return.
The Canadian averaged 9.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists final season, capturing 55.5% from the ground and an efficient 38.7% from 3-point vary on two makes an attempt per recreation.
