NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Deals That Guarantee Playoffs for Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are lucky, well let’s say fortunate. How can a team that has been to the playoffs once since '94, who is also currently seven games under.500, be fortunate? With numerous teams looking to sell off talent, they are buyers in a sellers market and might find a team desperate enough to make a hasty move.
Warriors CEO Joe Lacob and G.M. Larry Riley have promised this is not the same old Warriors with Joe Lacob stating, “We want to make something happen by the trade deadline.”
That’s good news because the old Warriors I know plan on losing 20 of the next 25 games, win seven of the last nine and have everyone believing in their chances next year. With new ownership, maybe they have what it takes to be a playoff team.
With $17 million in expiring deals, hopefully they can grab an elite player without giving up much in hopes that teams are willing to unload their star just to get rid of his contract. Stephen Curry is also sounding expendable and could be a deal maker for some teams.
Still only 4.5 games back of the final playoff spot, here are 10 potential deals that will guarantee the Warriors make the spot. That’s right I said it!
10. Warriors Acquire Luol Deng
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Golden State Warriors receive: Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, James Johnson
Chicago Bulls receive: Reggie Williams, Vladimir Radmanovic, Dan Gadzuric
The Warriors receive a big athletic forward who can score but more importantly is a good defender. His presence also allows Dorell Wright to come off the bench, strengthening the Warriors second unit. The Warriors might have to take on Korver's contract on for a deal to work. He may be a sneaky addition, as he would be allowed to fire away in their system.
The Bulls may be hesitant to make any deal with the way they are playing but unloading Deng’s contract might be too enticing. With him and Korver’s contract gone, the Bulls can make a serious run at Carmelo Anthony in the summer. Reggie Williams and Radmanovic could make for a serviceable stopgap at small forward for the rest of the year.
9. Warriors Acquire Jose Calderon
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Golden State Warriors receive: Jose Calderon
Toronto Raptors receive: Dan Gadzuric, Brandon Wright
Not the sexist move available, but the Warriors would get a true point on their roster which would allow them to be more flexible with their roster.
Calderon shoots a high percentage and has averaged high assists totals in the past but has really struggled the last couple years. A trade to a Warriors squad may rejuvenate him plus his numbers would automatically go up by 10 percent upon being dealt.
Toronto gets to unload a horrible contract and would allow them to play Jerryd Bayless at the point. Even if they get half of a Raymond Felton like resurgence, it makes the Warriors contenders for that last playoff spot.
8. Warriors Acquire Rashard Lewis
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Golden State Warriors receive: Rashard Lewis
Washington Wizards receive: Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic, Brandon Wright
The Warriors would be a taking a huge gamble by acquiring Lewis and his albatross contract. This deal could pay off if Lewis can find his form of just two years ago, as he could really stretch the floor if he finds his game again. He has finals experience and could help lead the Warriors to that final playoff spot. If he really has nothing left in the tank, the Warriors are stuck with a $46 million paperweight for the next two years.
The Wizards will be praying the Warriors come calling with this deal to speed up their rebuilding process.
7. Warriors Acquire Antawn Jamison
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Golden State Warriors receive: Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams
Cleveland Cavilers receive: Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic, Brandon Wright, Reggie Williams
Golden State would be bringing back a former Warrior who would love to help his former team into the playoffs. These two guys would give them a lot of flexibility, but it would be a bit of a gamble. I think they would be so excited to not be in Cleveland anymore it would be worth the gamble.
The Cavs would make this deal because they are saving money. I’d say this deal would cost them some wins, but I don’t think that’s possible.
6. Warriors Acquire Gerald Wallace
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Golden State Warriors receive: Gerald Wallace, Shaun Livingston, DeSagana Diop
Charlotte Bobcats receive: Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic, Brandon Wright
The Warriors get “Crash” Wallace. With a nickname like that, he belongs in an up and down system like the Warriors. He would give the Warriors a strong finisher on the break and provide a much needed transition defender. The W’s also get Livingston whom they can rotate in and out with Curry and Ellis. They would also have to take on Diop’s contract for this to sway the Bobcats into making this deal.
The Bobcats get salary cap nothing else. They can take a look at Wright for half a season and see what they think, other than that they are just unloading salary. The Warriors just have to hope the Bobcats are that desperate to unload salary.
5. Warriors Acquire Danny Granger
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Golden State Warriors receive: Danny Granger, T.J. Ford
Indiana Pacers receive: Stephen Curry, Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic
Danny Granger shoots a high volume and a low percentage, how is this guy not on the Warriors already? He is a high caliber player though that would fit in well with the Warriors, a big athletic forward who can do just about everything. T.J. Ford would add some much needed depth in the back court.
For the Pacers this would be a great move to add a piece like Curry while getting rid of Granger's contract.
4. Warriors Acquire Josh Smith
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Golden State Warriors receive: Josh Smith, Marvin Williams
Atlanta Hawks receive: Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh, Vladimir Radmanovic
Josh Smith seems like he was born to play in an up and down system like the Warriors, he can run up and down the court all game just dunking and blocking shots without worrying about his jumper, which makes him better already.
He has become come quite a headache for the Hawks and they may benefit by not having him around.
By completing this deal the Hawks can move Al Horford to his natural position at the 4, with Beidrins as their new starting center. To make this happen the Warriors would even take on Williams bloated contract off their hands. Williams could flourish in the Warriors system, I mean he can’t get much worse moving teams, right? This deal allows the Warriors to move Dorell Wright to coming off the bench, which is a key in any deal, while putting Lee at the center position where he played in New York.
With in Biedrins on board, Horford won’t have to guard the opposing team's best big man every game and allow him to focus more energy on offense. The Hawks also get rid of the “I still can’t believe we passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams for this guy so we have to keep him here so he can try and justify that pick” contract. If Williams was wearing an Ekpe Udoh jersey and Udoh Williams’s jersey, would anyone be able to tell the difference?
3. Warriors Acquire Brook Lopez
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Golden State Warriors receive: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Travis Outlaw
New Jersey Nets receive: Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry, Vladimir Radmanovic, 2011 first-round pick (top three protected)
The Warriors would get their first scoring big man since they moved to the Golden State.
His low rebounding totals won’t be a problem because David Lee will be right next too him. Devin Harris paired with Monta Ellis would make one lethal backcourt. A trade back to the Bay Area might make Brook Lopez happier and inspire his play. Would the Nets really miss him right now if he were gone?
For the Nets they get a defensive replacement in the middle, which would allow Derrick Favors to grow offensively. We know Beidrins isn’t going to take any possessions away from Favors, so this move would speed up his maturity.
To make sure the Nets would make this deal the Warriors would have to take the ridiculous contract on that is Travis Outlaw. He would make for a great sixth man on the Warriors, and that is where he would probably be more comfortable.
For the Nets this deal is all about the future. What would be more enticing for Carmelo and possibly Chris Paul to come to New Jersey/Brooklyn, the chance to play with Harris and Lopez, a good point guard and a 7 foot center that can’t rebound? That, or a good defender in Biedrins who wouldn't shoot the ball one time if they told him not too and Stephen Curry? Heck the Warriors can even throw in their first-round pick giving the Nets two first-round picks next year, and if this deal goes through the Warriors won't be going to the lottery and that draft pick won't be missed!
2. Warriors Acquire Andre Iguodala
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Golden State Warriors receive: Andre Iguodala ,Evan Turner ,Andres Nocioni
Philadelphia Sixers receive: Stephen Curry, Vladimir Radmanovic, Dan Gadzuric, Ekpe Udoh
Three weeks ago this would have been a done deal, but the Sixers are actually playing inspired basketball. However they are in the East and it’s a 5-team conference, so why not save some money if your not going to win? Andre Iguodala has been rumored to be moved for what seems like months now, and Evan Turner hasn't been exactly working out for Philadelphia. Jrue Holiday is big enough to guard some two’s so they can hide Curry’s defensive liabilities, while getting out from under Iguodala's and Nocioni’s contracts.
For the Warriors Iguodala seems like a perfect fit for this team, maybe even play some point guard at times. My plan would be for the Warriors to start Turner at point guard to pair with the smaller Ellis. This seems like a good deal for both teams, unless the Sixers really want to blow things up and trade…
No. 1 Warriors Acquire Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand
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Golden State Warriors receive: Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Andres Nocioni
Philadelphia Sixers receive: Monta Ellis, Dan Gadzuric, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ekpe Udoh
As of now the Sixers are locked in with their current roster for at least three more years until Brand's contract expires. If they sit back and realize they are not going to be winning anything in the East anytime soon, they can blow up the roster and feature a back court of Holiday and Eilis and start building for the future.
This would upgrade the Warriors' talent immensely and would get the chance to see how Curry performs with Ellis no longer on the team. Seems like with any deal the Warriors would have to take on Nocioni’s contract, and he would provide some shooting and toughness off the bench.
With this deal the Warriors would feature a back court of Curry and Wright, Iguodala, Lee and Brand up front. Tell me that’s not at least an eight seed in the West.
