Warriors Trade Predictions Ahead of Thursday's NBA Deadline

In theory, the Golden State Warriors have a chance to salvage their season this week.

The NBA trade deadline arrives Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, and for a team that has underperformed to this extent, the opportunity to add roster reinforcements appears as nothing less than a life raft.

But have the Dubs fallen down enough that this campaign is past the point of saving? Is their ceiling too low to justify sacrificing major long-term assets for a short-term upgrade? Or could there be a deal or two that completes this puzzle just in time for the Warriors to embark on a stretch-run sprint?

We'll break down what could be ahead with a trio of deadline predictions for Golden State.

Brandin Podziemski's Name Will Pop Up in Trade Talks

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MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 2: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

If the Warriors make a significant move, it will surely involve a veteran with a massive salary and statistics that fall short of that pay rate, be that Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins or even Klay Thompson.

Obviously, Golden State would then need to sweeten the pot with future-focused assets, but it's limited in movable draft picks. At most, the Warriors can trade a pair of first-round picks (2026 and 2028) and three second-round selections.

In all likelihood, then, Golden State would need to supplement its offer with a prospect. With Jonathan Kuminga potentially playing his way into untouchable territory, and Moses Moody not finding enough minutes to drive up his trade value, rookie Brandin Podziemski seems like the most logical on-court sweetener.

Last summer's 19th overall pick has impressed in his first NBA go-round with quick processing, great energy, activity on the glass and a pinch of shot-making. He'll surely have suitors, and if Golden State is dead-set on finding an impact player, it will have to at least listen to those inquiries.

They'll Come Close on an Andrew Wiggins Trade

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MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 2: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 2, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

It's been a season to forget for Andrew Wiggins, who doesn't remotely resemble the two-way wrecking ball who was so invaluable in Golden State's run to the 2022 title. Could this be his last week in a Warriors' uniform?

There's certainly a chance, as Action Network's Matt Moore reported the club is "looking to move" him. The Dallas Mavericks have shown "the most interest in Wiggins over the last two weeks," and they're desperate enough to find a two-way wing they may treat him as at least a neutral trade asset.

Wiggins feels like he'll be discussed more than any other Warrior this week. He has struggled mightily this season—his minus-11.2 net differential is easily the worst among their rotation regulars, per NBA.com—but it wasn't that long ago when he was thriving as a lockdown defender and complementary scorer. At 28 years old, it's hard to imagine he has stumbled into his decline already.

Teams may sense some bargain potential (in trade price, if not contract cost) in Wiggins and will surely try to low-ball the Warriors, which is why nothing will wind up getting done.

Golden State will field a few tempting offers and may think long and hard about a couple of them, but this just isn't the right time to let him go.

They Won't Make a Significant Trade

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the final seconds of their 141-134 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

For months, it felt like the Warriors were on the short list of teams most likely to make a trade. They may have even topped that list.

With the deadline now upon us, though, Golden State may decide the short-term lift of an addition simply isn't worth the long-term cost. The Warriors aren't merely one player away from rounding into championship form, and even if they were, that caliber of player isn't available on the market. Oh, and they almost certainly wouldn't win the bidding war to get them, either.

The idea of wasting one of Stephen Curry's remaining prime seasons is an objective bummer, but that may soon become this team's reality. As The Athletic's Anthony Slater reported, "the odds and internal expectations of a trade that meaningfully moves the needle has steadily decreased over the last month."

It's possible the Warriors make a marginal move, perhaps seeking anything from more size or a role-playing specialist to draft picks or tax savings. Nothing will be done to change the core of this team, though.

Golden State won't be bad enough to bottom out or good enough to contend for the crown, so it will effectively sit out trade season and hope this locker room finds a way on its own to grow more consistently competitive down the stretch.