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Warriors Rumors: Execs Expect GSW to Trade for 4th Star If They Land No. 1 Pick
February 20, 2020
Some NBA executives reportedly expect the Golden State Warriors to leverage the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft in trade talks for a fourth established star if they win the lottery.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported the update Wednesday but noted it's not a consensus, with others under the assumption the Warriors will stick with Andrew Wiggins and a top prospect alongside the trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
"Their coaches think they can cure Wiggins," an executive told Bontemps. "If he's your fourth-best player, it's not a bad thing. But he needs to hide, because he can't do it every night."
Golden State is in a transition year. Kevin Durant left in free agency, Thompson has missed the entire campaign with a torn ACL and Curry has been sidelined for most of the season with a broken hand.
In turn, the Dubs have rapidly fallen down the NBA standings into last place with a 12-43 record.
They have the potential to get right back in the championship conversation next season, though. Curry and Thompson will return to lead the backcourt with Green providing stability in the post.
The most simple way to build the roster around that longtime trio is keeping Wiggins to serve as a third scoring option—a role he could flourish in after being leaned on more heavily with his previous teams—and adding an elite prospect like center James Wiseman in the draft.
Golden State does have the assets to search for a potential blockbuster trade, led by Wiggins and their first-round pick, if the front office decides to go that route, though.
Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid are among the high-profile players who could end up in trade discussions this summer.
Embiid would be a perfect fit on paper, especially since Green's presence down low would give the three-time All-Star more freedom at both ends of the floor than he's had in Philly.
A lot of things would need to fall into place before blockbuster talks became reality, though. Most notably, the Warriors need some lottery luck, and the sides would need to work out the financial side of the deal.
At minimum, it's an intriguing storyline for Golden State fans to follow to help endure the franchise's first losing season since 2011-12.