A Trade Idea to Land Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors a Kristaps Porziņģis Replacement

The Golden State Warriors expected Kristaps Porziņģis to man the starting center position through the 2026-27 campaign, but the Latvian big man is still working through health issues that have kept him sidelined.

It's a significant loss, given that Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are also out for extended periods with knee injuries. Despite three of the Warriors' five highest-paid players being unavailable, the team has reeled off a five-game win streak.

Perhaps it's time for the team to take proactive steps to replace Porziņģis with a shot-blocking veteran center with NBA Finals experience, in a theoretical trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Full Trade Details

*The question remains whether or not Porziņģis returns.

Why the Golden State Warriors Do It

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Moody ruptured his left patellar tendon in late March and may be available as early as December or January. But Turner is available immediately.

The teams have no signing restrictions; Golden State can aggregate the two outgoing players to absorb Turner (Sims is on a minimum contract).

Turner, a 6'11" center-forward, is languishing on the post-Giannis-Antetokounmpo Bucks (1-7). His numbers have fallen to a career-low 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while he shoots just 31.6 percent from three.

He's also stuck on one of the league's clearest rebuilds. Place him on a squad with talent like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Rookie of the Year candidate Yaxel Lendeborg, and Turner's efficiency should quickly climb. He hit 38.3 percent from three last season and was a significant part of the Indiana Pacers' run to the 2024-25 NBA Finals.

Sims, 28, is insurance at the same position, helping the Warriors double up on available size. The cost is second-round considerations, an absent Porziņģis, and letting Moody go. Others like De'Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, and Brandon Williams have contributed well at guard for the Warriors.

The added cost is the financial commitment to Turner, whose contract includes a $29.1 million player option before the 2028-29 season. Porziņģis has a $20 million player option for next year, with just $3 million guaranteed.

Turner has never been a dominant rebounder, but he's averaging 2.8 blocks per game, which would help improve the Warriors' rim protection. The franchise is already limited by a $221.7 million second-apron hard cap—the deal for Turner and Sims lowers overall salary by $3.6 million.

The Bucks were seeking multiple second-round picks for Sims before the season. The Warriors give their 2030 second—which may go to the Dallas Mavericks; if so, Milwaukee gets a 2032 second in the 31-50 range, with 51-60 already obligated to the Memphis Grizzlies—and a 2033 second, along with cash, to offset the $3 million on Porziņģis' contract next year.

Update: Jake Fischer's sourcing is skeptical that the Warriors would take on Turner's long-term deal.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks Do It

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The Bucks signed Turner last year to complement Antetokounmpo, who is now with the Heat. A key return from Miami was Kel'el Ware, who should start for Milwaukee through this transition year.

Turner carries a heavy contract and is struggling with his shot. If the Warriors are willing to take him on now, by all means. Moody is a talented player once healthy. The Bucks can waive Porziņģis once the trade is finalized, eating the $3 million guaranteed on his deal next season.

The franchise saves $40.6 million in future seasons ($11.5 million and $29.1 million), while adding a couple of second-rounders and $3 million in cash. Sims isn't in head coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation.

While the Bucks can use their $25.5 million Antetokounmpo trade exception to take on Porziņģis, Moody would need to come out of a new one generated for Turner. It would last longer (a full year), but Milwaukee is better off swapping players directly and saving the larger Antetokounmpo exception that expires July 6.

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