Best Potential 2016-17 NBA Trade Deadline Targets for Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors bear no resemblance to the typical NBA trade deadline participant.

Nitpicking is required to fill out a needs list, and even then it isn't clear what the Warriors would part with to fill such voids. With draft debts owed through 2019 and a shortage of coveted prospects, there are no obvious, expendable trade chips.

But our hypothetical here isn't concerned with outgoing pieces. Rather, we're only identifying realistically obtainable players who would generate interest within the organization.

The list isn't long, which should be expected with the Dubs pacing everyone in winning percentage (.844) and net efficiency (plus-12.3 points per 100 possessions). But there are certain areas—frontcourt athleticism, backcourt depth, defensive versatility—where this club could help itself with the right roster fit.

Taking statistical stock of Golden State's current group and scanning the rumor mill for potentially available targets, these five players—presented in ascending order of prospective impact—rise above the rest as possible trade targets.

Omri Casspi, SF/PF, Sacramento Kings

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Would more shooting seem superfluous by the Bay?

On first glance, absolutely. Between Kevin Durant and splash siblings Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Dubs can drown opponents with three high-volume, high-efficiency rainmakers.

But the sniper collection thins behind them. Ian Clark has been unconscious outside (42.9 percent), but the four-year veteran had previously never shot above 36 percent from deep. Rookie Patrick McCaw is the only other Golden State player clearing 32.0 percent (37.5), but his minutes and production have both become sporadic.

The Warriors might not need another gunner, but adding one wouldn't be exorbitant spending. Provided that player could handle multiple positions and thrive in a movement-based offense, he might have a decent shot at carving a niche rotation role.

Omri Casspi checks off every box. He's been a 40.6 percent marksman since 2014-15, and his nimble 6'9" frame can comfortably handle both forward spots. He's also waiting to be claimed, with the Sacramento Kings having reportedly allowed his representatives to seek a deal, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

Casspi's nearly $3 million salary comes off the books at season's end, so he wouldn't add to the financial fiasco awaiting the Warriors. If his trade price is right, he'd be a low-maintenance addition who could impact short stretches with shooting, energy and versatility.

Richaun Holmes, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers

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Nothing in Richaun Holmes' hoops story jumps off the page. Not his college (Bowling Green), not his draft position (37th in 2015) and not his pedestrian per-game work over one-plus NBA season (6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.4 minutes).

But the biggest thing holding Holmes back is something beyond his control—the super-sized traffic jam in the Philadelphia 76ers frontcourt. The center spot features three top-10 draft picks (Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor). At power forward, there's yet another lottery pick (Dario Saric), a nine-year NBA veteran (Ersan Ilyasova) and perhaps (soon) this season's top selection (Ben Simmons).

Sixers head coach Brett Brown has said the crowding creates, "one of the most challenging times that I have had since I have been here," per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

And that's coming from a coach who suffered 199 losses in the last three seasons prior to this year.

A change is necessary, and while that will likely involve one of the bigger names (which we'll discuss more later), Holmes shouldn't get lost in the mix. His 6'10", 245-pound frame is an amalgamation of modern and traditional talents. He can pop all the way to the three-point line (35.0 percent) and handle throwback duties under the basket (2.0 blocks and 9.7 rebounds per 36 minutes).

He has the ideal reserve blend of energy and athleticism, plus the confidence to posterize an All-Star. Holmes is too good to be wasting away on an NBA bench, and Golden State would be wise to try to grab him before Philly figures that out.

Elfrid Payton, PG, Orlando Magic

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As great as Golden State's core four is, it's about to be equally expensive. So, whether it happens at this trade deadline or over next summer, the Warriors must pinch pennies at some point.

Hoarding rookie contracts is a tremendous way to do that, especially with undervalued players. Elfrid Payton could be on his way to qualifying as such since the Orlando Magic are "kind of done with [him]," according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst (via The Lowe Post podcast).

"Although Payton has improved in some areas," Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel wrote, "...he has not made the progress Magic officials hoped for him when they traded for his draft rights on draft day in 2014."

Payton's identity is still forming, but it looks like he'll be a non-shooting point guard. That's a dying breed in the modern game, but the Warriors have worked wonders with a similar player in Shaun Livingston, who could price his way off the roster in 2017 free agency.

Making a power play for Payton now would give the Warriors a cost-controlled asset going forward, while perhaps lifting his game to new heights. His shooting woes would be less concerning with the snipers he'd have around, and his pass-first tendency would shine amid a multitude of scorers. He'd have more space for his herky-jerky slashes, plus the tenacity and discipline to thrive in Golden State's switch-happy defense.

Will Barton, SG/SF, Denver Nuggets

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The Denver Nuggets have three shooting guards chosen among the top 20 picks in the past three drafts. They also have a pair of small forwards among their top three salary earners this season.

Will Barton suits up at both the 2 and 3 spots, but he's not any of the five players described above. In other words, he's getting squeezed by Denver's crowded perimeter crew, which is why multiple teams have called to check on his availability, sources told ESPN.com's Chris Haynes.

Despite having a heavy star presence around the wings, the Warriors are light there overall. They only run two-deep at both point guard and small forward, and their three-deep group at shooting guard features developing prospects Clark and McCaw.

Barton could provide welcome depth at the clearance price of just $3.5 million this season and next. After finishing fourth in last season's Sixth Man of the Year voting, he's since improved his shooting percentages from the field (43.9) and outside (36.9). His 5.7 drives per game—more than any Warrior—would add a new downhill dimension, and he's versatile enough to log minutes at all three perimeter positions.

Barton would be the lanky, energetic, athletic shot in the arm that injuries and a lack of experience have prevented McCaw from being. Barton's attacking style could also fill the self-sufficient scoring void created by Leandro Barbosa's offseason exit, and the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest participant would add to the Warriors' myriad transition options.

Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers

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Noel has a simple solution to Philly's frontcourt congestion—send someone packing already.

"You have three young, talented centers that can play 30-plus minutes a night," Noel said in September, per CSN Philly's Matt Haughton. "Things needs to get situated. I think things obviously need to be moved around, someone needs to be moved around."

Since Philly isn't moving Embiid and Golden State has no need for Okafor's offense-only skills, Noel is the logical target. He's an elite defensive presence—one of only five players in league history to tally at least 100 steals and 100 blocks as a rookie—and an effortless above-the-rim athlete on both ends.

His offensive range doesn't reach beyond the restricted area, and his arsenal is essentially see-ball, dunk-ball. But JaVale McGee has followed that same formula this season to 24.6 points per 36 minutes on 62.2 percent shooting. And unlike McGee, Noel won't mindlessly float around the defensive end. He's an ambidextrous shot-blocker, always-on-time helper and swift enough runner to turn back attacking guards.

It's hard to imagine the Warriors finding a trade package that suits the Sixers, especially with their general manager Bryan Colangelo saying he "will not make a bad deal" involving Noel, per CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato. But maybe there's a big Kevon Looney fan somewhere in Philly's front office who would covet what Golden State has to offer.

It's a long shot, but then again, so is the idea of the Dubs doing anything that runs the risk of harming their chemistry. If Golden State makes that gamble, it would be smart to do so for a need-filler like Noel. 

Unless otherwise noted, statistics accurate through Sunday, Dec. 25, and used courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com. Salary information obtained via Basketball Insiders.

Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @ZachBuckleyNBA.