5 Trade-Deadline Deals the Golden State Warriors Should Already Be Targeting

The Golden State Warriors followed their second NBA title in three years with a decisive offseason win.

A flawless victory, some might even say.

The same roster that has produced 67-plus wins in three straight seasons now looks better than ever. It's also about to get ridiculously expensive and isn't exactly overflowing with young prospects.

As long as the Warriors are embarking on—and, more importantly, leading—championship chases, they may bite the financial bullet and ride this core until the wheels fall off. Or, they could take a more proactive approach by seeking out deals meant to better balance their roster or lighten the economic hit.

Even if Golden State decides to stand pat, it should always scan the market for potential roster tweaks. Consider this a push in that direction with five hypothetical deals worth examining between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Remember, players who signed this summer won't be eligible to be traded until December, so these ideas should all be viewed through a wide-angle lens.

Creating a Roster Spot

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No matter which frontcourt spot Kevon Looney occupies, he's probably no better than fourth on the rotation. So it's not difficult to imagine the Dubs preferring to use his roster spot on someone more capable of filling a need.

And, despite an injury-riddled and underwhelming body of work behind him, it's not impossible to think someone sees the third-year big man as a project worth undertaking.

Take the Brooklyn Nets, who are in dire need of assets and have the flexibility to absorb Looney's deal while sending virtually nothing back (like a heavily protected second-rounder that will never produce).

Granted, Looney is far from the most intriguing prospect. He had athletic limitations before undergoing two hip surgeries as a rookie in 2015-16, and his 2017 summer-league run was just as forgettable as his first two seasons in the Association.

But he's still a 21-year-old with contemporary potential at both ends. His length (7'3 ½" wingspan) allows him to play bigger than his size (6'9"), so he can cycle through multiple defensive assignments. And he has flashed the handles and shooting stroke of a face-up big, plus the underrated ability of finding the right niche. 

"He just has a really good feel for the game," head coach Steve Kerr told Bleacher Report's Erik Malinowski in November. "He's not going to wow you with anything athletically, but he's just always in the right spot making the right play."

If Looney finds a club with patience, he could develop into a consistent contributor. And if the Warriors unload him before the buyout market opens, they could use the space to uncover a better-fitting piece to their puzzle.

Moving McGee for Backcourt Help

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The Warriors never overreacted to JaVale McGee's free-agency journey. And their patience was rewarded nearly a month after the market opened when the energetic 7-footer returned at the veteran's minimum.

It's possible Golden State had a feeling McGee wouldn't be overwhelmed with offers given how low his stock had fallen when he was forced to settle on a training camp invite last summer. But the Warriors may have had a simpler reason for slow-playing the negotiations—they might not need him.

Zaza Pachulia, David West and Draymond Green are already in the center rotation. Kevin Durant can play there in a pinch too, as he showed during the NBA Finals. And even if Looney's outlook seems less than encouraging, sophomore Damian Jones and rookie Jordan Bell appear to be intriguing options underneath.

Jones fits the McGee mold—through squinted eyes, at least. Jones doesn't have quite the same level of explosiveness, but he's big, mobile and comfortable above the rim. He also may be a more well-rounded center with better defensive awareness and scoring range beyond the restricted area.

Bell is more of a Draymond clone. The 6'8" rookie blends athleticism and effort into a devastating small-ball package of shot-blocking, pick-and-roll switching and point-blank finishing.

"Bell is exactly the type of guy the Warriors need, and exactly the type of guy other teams need to beat the Warriors," The Ringer's Paolo Uggetti wrote. "On a team with three of the best shooters of all time, a prospect's defense is more valuable than his offense. And defense is Bell's calling card."

If the Warriors are comfortable with their non-JaVale options, they could deal him to help cover their third point guard void (but only with McGee's blessing). According to ESPN.com's Chris Haynes, McGee drew free-agency interest from the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers, both of whom have second-round rookie floor generals to send in return (Frank Mason III and Jawun Evans, respectively).

Sacrificing a Starter for Depth

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Pachulia has mastered his fifth Beatle role for the Warriors. He has given up money and minutes while embracing the gritty world of grunt work, earning a championship ring and surprisingly strong All-Star voting support for his troubles.

His inconsistent finishing and ground-bound play can frustrate fans, but Golden State has found him worth having and playing.

"Zaza gives us toughness, gives us smart play," Kerr told Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto. "He's a great screener, he's always getting [our shooters] open."

Pachulia is reliable. He's also probably replaceable given Golden State's glut at center and small-ball dominance. Between West, Green, McGee, Jones and Bell, the Dubs have no shortage of toughness or stone-wall screen-setters.

But not everyone has that luxury. The Memphis Grizzlies look light in the middle behind Marc Gasol, with Brandan Wright becoming a walking red flag (40 games combined over the last two seasons) and Deyonta Davis lacking polish (36 career outings). Assuming they want to remain competitive—it's not like Gasol (32) and Mike Conley (turns 30 in October) are getting any younger—they could use a safety net like Pachulia.

What might the Warriors want in return? A package of Mario Chalmers and James Ennis could do the trick. Chalmers—nearly a year-and-a-half removed from rupturing his Achilles—has a championship background, defensive tenacity and the ability to play on or off the ball. Ennis would add to Golden State's collection of long, pliable perimeter defenders without screwing up the offensive spacing (career 37.2 percent three-point shooter).

Add Looney to the equation for salary purposes, and this could scratch an itch on both sides—assuming Pachulia would green-light the deal. The Warriors improve their roster balance, while the Grizzlies flesh out their post-grit-and-grind frontcourt.

Emergency Swaggy Plan

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As Silicon Valley can attest, the smart money is often on the Warriors' side. That's why it's so easy to believe their redemptive powers will produce yet another success story with the signing of Nick (don't call him Swaggy P) Young.

The 32-year-old sniper has everything he could want on the hardwood. His team is loaded with top-shelf scorers and willing passers, so the career 37.6 percent three-point shooter should feast on open looks. The surrounding star power will free him from the spotlight—unless his play warrants attention for good reasons—and quench his lingering thirst for playoff basketball (15 career postseason games).

"The chances of him unnerving the Warriors with his Swaggy-P-itude are significantly less than the Warriors unnerving him by showing him what being on a relentlessly winning team can provide," CSN Bay Area's Ray Ratto wrote.

That being said, would anyone be shocked if the signing goes awry? Sure, the ball is in Young's court, but history says that isn't necessarily a good thing. He has rarely shown the selflessness, defensive drive and shot selection needed to crack this rotation. He's had an above-average player efficiency rating once in 10 seasons (15 is the average) and less value than a replacement player in eight of his 10 years.

The Warriors knew all of that and still took a calculated risk on him for good reason. But they should have a contingency plan in place in case this doesn't go as planned. And that plan should involve the New Orleans Pelicans, who look desperate for three-point shooting and self-sufficient scoring around DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis.

If Golden State needs to pivot off Young already by February, it shouldn't expect a great deal in return. But Quincy Pondexter would be worth a look if he's healthy by then—though he hasn't been since 2014-15—for his defensive versatility and low-maintenance offense.

Getting Younger, Cheaper at Guard

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At some point, the basketball gods won't let Golden State keep everyone on board. When that day comes, Shaun Livingston looks like he'll be among the cuts.

He's one of six Warriors with a non-rookie contract that runs beyond 2017-18. Four of the others are 20-something All-Stars. The fifth is Death Lineup member Andre Iguodala, who carries a heavier financial commitment than the 31-year-old but also plays a much bigger role. Deal Iguodala, and there goes the second-team playmaker and primary wing defender for critical postseason matchups.

Livingston is a huge help to have but also a nonessential. Despite shooting a career-best 54.7 percent last season, he played the fewest minutes he has since joining the Warriors (17.7 per game) and saw that figure fall during the playoffs (15.7). That's a tricky trend when he just locked into a three-year, $24 million deal ($2 million guaranteed in 2019-20) and other more prominent players need to be paid before that expires.

Livingston would be an asset elsewhere, though, as a 6'7" matchup problem at both ends. He's the backup and complement to Kemba Walker the Charlotte Hornets need. Livingston is the steady hand at point guard who could help turn the Denver Nuggets' playoff dream into a reality.

Send Livingston to Buzz City for Jeremy Lamb and a protected first-round pick, and the Dubs have another lanky wing, a new avenue to cheap talent and at least $2 million saved in 2019. Route Livingston and Looney to Denver for Will Barton and Emmanuel Mudiay, and Golden State gains a three-and-D swingman while picking up an intriguing 6'5" floor general who won't be eligible for an extension until 2018.

Losing any core member is tough, though, and Livingston would be no exception. He's a stabilizing presence on and off the floor.

But if the Warriors need to cut a member of their wing rotation, he'd be the sacrifice to make. Especially if said sacrifice yielded youth, athleticism and financial savings.

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats via Basketball Reference or NBA.com. Contract information obtained via Basketball Insiders.

Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.