Trade Targets for Warriors to Avoid at 2024 Deadline

The NBA trade deadline looms as perhaps the Golden State Warriors' final hope for salvaging this season.

Their roster needs help in virtually all areas, so the front office should be aggressive and open to almost anything.

The Dubs' decision-makers need to be careful, though. If they make the wrong move now, it could haunt them for years.

The following three potential trade targets look like particularly poor fits for this team.

Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

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PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 17: Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Moda Center on January 17, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers won 105-103. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Golden State's lack of size and athleticism along the perimeter is glaring to the point of often appearing as a fatal flaw.

That, more than anything, could potentially steer this squad toward Jerami Grant, a 6'7" swingman who can toggle between the 3 and 4 spots with ease. He also happens to be a shape-shifting stopper who might have a better chance of serving as Stephen Curry's second option than anyone on the roster.

All of that said, the Dubs should stay away. For multiple reasons.

First, he's never been a featured option for anyone other than tanking teams, so it's hard to say how much of his 21.6 points per game would actually carry over to a win-now club. Second, he isn't someone the Blazers are looking to move, so his trade cost could effectively deplete the Dubs' asset collection. Finally, the five-year, $160 million pact he signed over the offseason could restrict the franchise's finances going forward and make it even more challenging to upgrade this roster during the remainder of Curry's prime.

Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

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TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 18: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 18, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Watch the Warriors struggle to find non-Curry scoring often enough, and you'll find yourself wondering whether this group is actually desperate enough for buckets to reach through a sea of red flags to grab Zach LaVine.

For all of his flaws (more on those in a second), his three-level scoring, ignitable shooting and secondary creation would all fill needs for Golden State's 13th-ranked offense, per NBA.com. This season has been shaky, but in each of the previous four he averaged better than 24 points, four assists and 2.5 threes per outing. He also posted a pristine 47.9/39/83.9 shooting slash over this stretch.

Again, if you catch this offense on its roughest nights, you can almost talk yourself into LaVine as a cure-all solution.

Expand the conversation to anything other than his offensive numbers, though, and that's where it all falls apart. He has encountered injury issues throughout his career and is fighting his latest ailment (an ankle sprain) as we speak. His numbers have never translated to any team success, as he's booked just a single playoff appearance over his nine-plus seasons. Finally, and most damningly, he has one of the league's worst contracts with $40.1 million owed to him this season and $138 million more coming his way over the next three, per Spotrac.

Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 18: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz in action during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Delta Center on January 18, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Kelly Olynyk looks like the kind of player who could hit the ground running in Golden State's system. He is a clever passer and capable shooter who makes smart and quick decisions with the basketball.

The Warriors also have a standing need for size, and he could scratch that itch. At 6'11", he'd be the tallest player on the team, and only rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis weighs more than the 240-pound Olynyk.

If Golden State picks up a big man this swap season, though, it should be someone who adds a different dimension to the frontcourt. Olynyk, meanwhile, would just give them a lot of the same things Dario Šarić already does. The two couldn't coexist defensively, so the Warriors would wind up splitting whatever minutes they want to devote to a floor-spacing center, which probably wouldn't be many if Kevon Looney, Draymond Green and Jackson-Davis were all still around, too.

The Warriors shouldn't ignore the center market. A top-shelf shot-blocker would help plug holes on their 24th-ranked defense. An offensive-minded center with bounce and an outside shot would give Curry a dynamic pick-and-roll partner. A bulkier big would give this group a better chance of hanging with the likes of Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid.

Olynyk, though, wouldn't change much for a team that seemingly needs to change a ton.