Hypothetical Warriors Trades to Boost Pursuit of 2024 NBA Title

The Golden State Warriors ended the 2021-22 NBA season as world champions.

They might close the 2022-23 campaign as play-in tournament participants.

This level of slippage should be unacceptable. With Stephen Curry still firmly in his prime, the Dubs should be on the short list of heavyweight contenders.

If this postseason makes it obvious they've fallen back a rung or two, they could have a busy summer of trying to trade their way back to the top. The following three deals could be worth considering if change is deemed necessary.

Getting a Two-Way Wing and Backup Big from Toronto

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 27: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors dribbling the ball drives towards the basket on Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 27, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Trade: Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Moses Moody and future first-round pick to the Toronto Raptors for O.G. Anunoby and Chris Boucher

Jordan Poole is a good NBA player. Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Moses Moody might become good NBA players at some point. None of the three is a great fit with Curry right now, since Poole is most effective with the ball in his hands and the prospects aren't ready for high-leverage minutes.

If Golden State packaged all three with a first-round pick, that would be about as strong of a trade offer as the club can make, at least without including Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors would really need to get this right, in other words.

Prying O.G. Anunoby and Chris Boucher away from the Raptors feels like a can't-miss kind of haul. Anunoby is one of the league's best defenders, and his offensive game is constantly evolving. Boucher, a one-time Warrior, can protect the paint and splash shots from the perimeter. Both would bulk up Golden State's defense without screwing up any of the offensive spacing.

This would only work if the Raptors want to go young, but they might be stuck in the middle and could see rebuilding around Scottie Barnes as their best path forward.

Plug-and-Play Wing and Assets from Orlando

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Gary Harris #14 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 22, 2022 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Trade: Jordan Poole to the Orlando Magic for Gary Harris, Cole Anthony and a first-round pick

This type of trade is tricky, since the Warriors are the win-now team in this trade, and they're giving up the best player. It might still work, though, for the fit and flexibility offered by this package.

Gary Harris a relentless on-ball defender, and his three-point shot is all the way back. In fact, he's never been better from distance, converting his 2.0 triples per night at a 44.3 percent clip. He's the kind of low-maintenance, high-defense player who would fit perfectly with Curry in the backcourt.

Cole Anthony could give Golden State more shot-creation, athleticism and scoring punch on the second unit. Or the Warriors could package the 22-year-old, who was taken 15th overall in 2020, with the draft pick and see what kind of win-now talent that combo would bring back.

The Magic, meanwhile, might see Poole growing with their young nucleus and taking a lot of defensive attention away from Paolo Banchero.

Going All-In for Two-Way Wings

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 26: Dorian Finney-Smith #28 and Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game on March 26, 2023 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Trade: Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and future first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith

Warriors fans might initially hate this. That's fine. They're essentially unloading all of their young talent and a first-round pick for two players who have never been All-Stars. That isn't the easiest deal to sell.

But this would ditch the idea of operating on two different timelines and be a total commitment to giving Curry his best shot at adding to his jewelry collection. The Warriors won't have another talent like him pass through their organization for a long time (or ever?), so doing everything they can to maximize his tenure feels like the smartest move.

Mikal Bridges, who's put up All-Star numbers in Brooklyn, would basically be a souped-up version of Andrew Wiggins. Dorian Finney-Smith would thrive as a switchable defender who can make open shots. These three working in concert on defense would be equipped to shut down just about any offense opponents would throw at the Warriors. Add Draymond Green to the equation, and that's a cheat-code defense—regardless of who fills the fifth spot on the floor.

Since Moody, Baldwin and the draft pick aren't part of Golden State's rotation, it's basically just upgrading from Poole and Kuminga to Bridges and Finney-Smith. That would make for a much more complementary supporting cast and give the Warriors their best shot at a ring next season.

The Nets, meanwhile, will need a total reset at some point, and this could get their rebuild rolling. Poole is a proven commodity, Kuminga has dropped several hints at having a sky-high ceiling, and the other three are wild cards. If they all hit, the Nets could be sitting pretty in the near future.