A powerful 10-3 begin to the season may truly immediate the Golden State Warriors to be extra energetic earlier than the February 6 commerce deadline, with the franchise at present atop an extremely aggressive Western Convention following the Thunder’s shocking loss to ‘Oklahoma Metropolis Tuesday.
If the Warriors are in search of an improve or two within the coming months, then it is going to turn into obvious which staff can be keen to turn into a commerce companion. The Brooklyn Nets are 6-9 by way of 15 video games, possible even exceeding their very own expectations underneath head coach Jordi Fernandez.
The higher-than-expected begin may pressure the Nets to commerce a few of their key gamers earlier than anticipated, with Sam Amick from The Athletic report Tuesday that Brooklyn is “needs to be open for enterprise” within the industrial market.
“The commerce deadline remains to be practically three months away, however there’s numerous discuss that Brooklyn would be the place to go for contending groups in search of upgrades when that essential build-up second hits. of the workforce will lastly arrive.” Amick wrote.
The Nets haven’t any true stars per se, however they do have high quality gamers who may assist the Warriors and different rival groups. Let’s rank 5 gamers by degree of potential curiosity in Golden State, considering their on-court affect, function, contract, and extra.
5. Nick Claxton
Nic Claxton is averaging 8.6 factors and seven.7 rebounds in 11 video games to this point this season, though these numbers are deflated a bit by having began on a minutes restriction. The 6’11” massive man could possibly be a worthwhile asset for a lot of playoff-contending groups, however his $28.4 million contract for this season makes issues extremely troublesome.
Claxton is not sufficient of an improve over Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney to justify what the Warriors ought to ship from a salary-matching standpoint, not to mention what property the Nets would possibly need as well as.
4. Dorian Finney-Smith
Dorian Finney-Smith may even have worth as a prototypical 3-and-D wing, averaging 11.2 factors and 4.7 rebounds on 42.5% capturing from past the arc till now this season. The 31-year-old’s $14.9 million deal additionally makes it simpler to equalize salaries, however it could nonetheless pressure Golden State to surrender at the very least two of the depth items.
Would buying and selling two bench gamers and a draft decide be price it for a participant who can also be prone to come off the bench? It is definitely not as engaging as earlier than even when Finney-Smith is having a great begin to the season.
3. Cam Thomas
In Golden State’s two losses to the LA Clippers this season, they definitely may have made extra pictures and shot creation exterior of Stephen Curry. The staff’s lack of a secondary offensive star stays a slight concern towards good defenses in half-court conditions, and whereas Thomas is not a star but, he is definitely placing up numbers that recommend he could possibly be. .
The fourth-year guard is averaging 24.6 factors, 3.4 rebounds and three.1 assists with capturing instances of 46/39/87. This does not equate to being a great match for the Warriors, together with his protection definitely being a priority mixed with the truth that he does not scream a Steve Kerr participant when it comes to motion offense.
A $4 million wage makes it simple to match from a enterprise standpoint, however Thomas will turn into a restricted free agent subsequent offseason and will certainly demand a contract {that a} staff like Golden State would possibly balk at.
2. Cam Johnson
Cam Johnson’s lights-out capturing from the facility ahead place may definitely present worth to a staff missing spacing on the four-five spot. The 28-year-old averaged 18.1 factors, 4.3 rebounds and a pair of.9 assists to begin the season, after capturing 39.3 p.c from three on practically eight makes an attempt per recreation.
The issue as soon as once more comes with the truth that Johnson made $23.6 million this season, making it as soon as once more questionable whether or not it is price it for the Warriors to dump a few of their depth that does not threaten a staff All-Star.
1. Dennis Schröder
Brandin Podziemski’s current kind has been disappointing as Golden State’s backup level guard, with the 21-year-old failing to pose a lot of a scoring risk in current video games. If the sort of kind continues, the Warriors could possibly be in search of a extra confirmed veteran choice earlier than the commerce deadline.
There would not be significantly better than Dennis Schroder as a backup level guard, with the 31-year-old at present beginning with the Nets the place he is averaging 17.8 factors, 3.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists decisive pictures whereas capturing a career-best 41.4%. from past the arc.
The Warriors can goal larger by looking for an All-Star or somebody who will play greater than half-hour per recreation, however the expiration of Schroder’s $13 million contract makes it believable that they could possibly be desirous about Podziemski doesn’t change the scenario.
