Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Everyone’s heads turned when the Golden State Warriors started 12-3 this season. Then, the wheels fell off the wagon, and the Warriors have gone 10-20 since that start. One can argue that maybe they should have found a deal for Lauri Markkanen in the offseason, as we rumored, but that ship has sailed. They cannot miss the boat this time around.
Golden State made a trade, bringing in Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets. Adding another ball handler to the roster was a smart move, but more importantly, they made the trade early enough that Schroder could be included in another trade by deadline day.
The Warriors desperately need to add someone who could take some of the scoring pressure off Stephen Curry. There is not a reliable second option on the roster; some nights, it is Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga (who has been injured since 1/5), and Buddy Hield. That is not good enough.
The real problem for the Warriors is that the options for a second option that are available are not earth-shattering. LaVine, Beal, and even Butler are interesting names, but the price tag will be too high for the Warriors. Brandon Ingram from New Orleans is available, but he is currently injured, does not have a great history with Steve Kerr stemming from his Team USA run, and will be looking for a big contract in the offseason.
The Warriors’ options are not great. It might be better to sit out this trade deadline, but doing that will be punting on this season. If Golden State cannot find a solid second consistent scorer, they are wasting another Curry season, and that is unforgivable.
