Steph Curry, Warriors' Title Hopes Depend on Frontcourt Addition Amid NBA Trade Rumors

The Golden State Warriors sit at 13-15 and ninth in the Western Conference early in the 2025-26 season, far short of where the organization hoped it would be. A significant weakness in the team's game is its presence in the paint and on the boards, an area of which the Warriors are actively looking to upgrade.

Chris Haynes told NBA on Prime that the team is actively looking at three athletic big men in the trade market, including Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks, Robert Williams of the Portland Trailblazers, and Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets.

Claxton is the highest profile option and is averaging 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the floor.

Williams has averaged only 15 minutes per game, with 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, but possesses the raw athleticism that the Warriors are looking for. Ditto Gafford, who is shooting 61.4 percent from the floor, with 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Any of the three would help the Warriors improve their rebounding. Golden State ranks 24th in the league, with 51.6 per game.

Add to that a league-worst 41.4 points in the paint and the team badly needs that athletic frontcourt presence to help compete in a Western Conference that has Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson, and Kevin Durant dominating the paint.

The Warriors are not currently built to win in the same way as others in the conference, and as a result, they are struggling. Until they make that move, which may include them having to give up Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski to actually acquire a prolific player at the center position, a middle-of-the-road record will be the norm and a coveted fifth NBA title for Steph Curry, Steve Kerr, and Co.