NBA Rumors: Struggling Golden State Warriors Should Be Sellers at Trade Deadline

Despite all of the continued talk that the Golden State Warriors have an interest in Dwight Howard, the more likely scenario remains that the team might become sellers at this year's trade deadline if it doesn't improve its play.

From Marcus Thompson II of MercuryNews.com:

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If the Warriors don't turn things around quickly, Golden State will be forced to turn its attention away from the playoffs and to developing the young talent. That probably means more time for rookie swingman Klay Thompson and even more minutes for second-year big man Ekpe Udoh. Maybe even rookie big man Jeremy Tyler gets into the rotation.

It could also mean Riley will turn his attention to the trade deadline and potentially revamping the roster. Riley said he's not quite ready to start looking toward the future.

"But the clock is ticking," Riley said. "No question."

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Now, if I were the Warriors I wouldn't want to trade Stephen Curry just yet. However, players like Monta Ellis and David Lee would assuredly be in high demand were the Warriors to put them on the block and could bring back a nice assortment of young players and draft picks.

This is all moot, of course, if the the young team comes together in the next few weeks and proves it can win games together.

However, thus far, this team simply hasn't proven able to do that on a consistent basis, and the team may be best served to clear the big salaries of Lee and Ellis for younger players and expiring contracts.

Obviously, the Warriors shouldn't sell for pennies on the dollar. And if the team improves, they need to see where their young talent can take them. But if they continue down the path of mediocrity they've skipped down all season long, it may be time to look to the future in Golden State.

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