Trade Targets for Warriors to Pursue at 2023 Deadline
The Golden State Warriors are the defending NBA champions.
Based on what they've shown through the first half of the 2022-23 season, they might need major help to have any hope of defending their crown.
Luckily, help might be on the way—if the front office is willing to pay the price.
The upcoming trade deadline could provide reinforcements, though Golden State may have to part with a prime asset or two to nab a difference-maker. The following three targets could be snug enough fits to warrant some sacrifice.
Monte Morris, Washington Wizards
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Monte Morris has spent the bulk of his six-year career establishing himself as one of the Association's top backup point guards.
The last two seasons, though, have highlighted that he might be over his skis as a starter. That's a bummer for the Washington Wizards, but it could mean good news for the Dubs.
They could use a pass-first table-setter to grab the reins of their reserve unit. Morris would be perfect. Sound decision-making is a must in this system, and his is top-notch. For his career, he has nearly five times as many assists (1,265) as turnovers (255). When he has to call his own number, he can do that, too, as evidenced by his career 48.0/39.4/82.5 slash line.
Now, there is zero evidence that Washington will make him available, and it's anyone's guess as to whether Golden State would meet the asking price if it did. Still, his skill set would be an ideal way of addressing a need.
Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs
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While this is hardly a novel idea, the fact there has been so much said of a potential Jakob Poeltl trade for the Warriors highlights how good he could be for Golden State.
The Dubs need more size up front. In a perfect world, they'd find that size from someone who can anchor a defense, set solid screens, finish from close range and keep the ball moving.
Poeltl checks every box.
This probably comes down to trade cost, and Golden State's assessment of how much an incoming big would play. If the Warriors envision a big enough role to justify parting with a key asset like former No. 2 pick James Wiseman, that seems like a sensible swap for both sides.
Josh Richardson, San Antonio Spurs
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The Spurs have sent out a ton of veteran talent over the past calendar year, but their rebuilding to-do list calls for a couple more deals.
Shipping out Josh Richardson before the 29-year-old enters unrestricted free agency this summer is a no-brainer.
Golden State entering the Richardson sweepstakes should be a no-brainer, too.
The Dubs need more depth on the wings in general, particularly someone who can hold his own defensively and spread the floor on offense. Richardson checks both boxes for the three-and-D archetype, plus he offers enough handles and vision to serve as a secondary playmaker.
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