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Well, that was embarrassing. And perhaps the best thing that could have happened to the Warriors if you are of the opinion Golden State needs to go shopping for a new Steph Curry sidekick before the February 5 trade deadline.
The Raptors blasted the Warriors 145–127 in San Francisco on Tuesday night in the first signs of what life might be like without Jimmy Butler to anchor the defense.
Butler’s replacement isn’t on the roster. Jonathan Kuminga is back in the fold and coach Steve Kerr says all is well in their oil-v-water relationship, but the goal is to parlay Kuminga and draft picks to keep the team competitive enough to fight for a playoff spot this season.
The deadline is only two weeks out, meaning Kevin Dunleavy Jr. already has his fingers on his screen checking availability and trying to find a meaningful match for Curry.
Dunleavy said he’s already conferenced with the powers that be — owner Joe Lacob — and Golden State is willing to stack future first-round picks. That’s good, because it’s the only prayer the Warriors have in getting a better-than-good option in a Warriors uniform.
“To give up our picks, it’s got to be meaningful to get something back. So, for that reason, there’s only so many players out there that probably warrant putting stuff like that on the table,” Dunleavy said this week. “But we’re looking at everything. Joe Lacob is our owner, so you’re always exploring all possibilities, willing to do any type of deal.”
Butler is the kind of player the Warriors are looking for, an invested veteran with proven production. He was averaging over 20 points per game, and without him it’s Curry for 3 and very little else that screams “see you in May.”
If the Warriors are suddenly selling teams a line that Kuminga is a useful and bountiful basket of upside, they’re going to run into a wall of overaged, yesterday’s talent on expiring contracts.
We’ve heard the same LeBron and Giannis rumors and clicked on tempting headlines that marry Curry with Olympic mates and for now leave those in the subreality section.
Here are three trades the Warriors might be able to pull off with the right amount of future capital on the table:
Bulls PG Coby White
Chicago makes a lot of sense for Kuminga. He isn’t on a fundamentally defined expiring contract because of his $24.5 million option for next season, but the Bulls can absorb it if they offload White.
White’s contract is up at the end of the season and he’s making only $12.9 million. With Josh Giddey soon to return from a three-week absence related to his injured hamstring, the Bulls could run a towering blend of mix-and-match wings and guards and further incorporate Ayo Dosunmu. He’s already playing bigger minutes with White coming back from a calf injury.
What White doesn’t help is defense, but the Warriors can make a player-for-player deal that feasibly improves both teams as the Alex Caruso–Giddey swap did.
By throwing Butler back to the Bulls — with his hefty contract and a pick — the Warriors might be able to skim Dosunmu, too, but would have to accept a collection of “extras” to seal this deal. Dosunmu is a sturdy defender and capable slasher with potential in Golden State.
Nets F Michael Porter Jr.
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