NBA Trade Speculation: 3 Viable Trade Options For Warriors Involving Steph Curry

Bennett SpectorJun 7, 2018

Goal: Using Steph Curry as the constant variable, create viable trade options for the Warriors that will give them a legitimate chance to win.

Defining Win: I'm not talking about winning this year or even two years from now. The Warriors need to rebuild on a five-year plan. Think Oklahoma City Thunder but Monta Ellis is our Kevin Durant, the core piece needed for us to succeed.

Tool: Using ESPN's Trade Machine I created three trade scenarios that match contracts, make both teams better (in my opinion) and would give the Golden State Warriors the key pieces needed to make them a driving force in the Western Conference.

Fan Base Reaction: I expect to take some flack for hypothetically trading away Steph Curry (one of the brighter spots on the Warriors roster) but in my eyes the Monta-Curry combo isn't going to win.

Here are three viable trade options for the Golden State Warriors involving Steph Curry.

Trade Scenario No. 1: Steph Curry to The Denver Nuggets

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Warriors Giving Up:

Stephen Curry (PG) -- $2,913,840 / 2 Years

Andris Biedrins (C) -- $9,000,000 / 4 years

Vladimir Radmanovic (SF) -- $6,883,800 / 1 Year

Nuggets Giving Up:

Nene Hilario (C) -- $11,360,000 / 2 Years

Ty Lawson (PG) -- $1,546,560 / 2 Years

Chris Andersen (C) -- $4,533,300 / 4 Year

Analysis:

The Nuggets obviously aren't going to love seeing Biedrins' terrible contract on the books but ditching Birdman's four-year deal could be enticing. If a Melo trade does eventually go through, the Nuggets are going to need to sell some jerseys... enter Steph Curry. Radmanovic's expiring contract would give the Nuggets room to make a move this offseason.

The Warriors need a legit big man and Nene would fit the bill. His contract is big but no worse that Biedrins'. Ty Lawson definitely isn't an upgrade at point guard but he can handle the ball, giving Monta some plays off. Birdman can defend the hoop and run with the best of 'em. This trade probably favors the Warriors but the Nuggets are headed into rebuilding mode and Curry could be a nice piece for them to build around.

Trade Scenario No. 2: Steph Curry To The Los Angeles Clippers

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Warriors Giving Up:

Stephen Curry (PG) -- $2,913,840 / 2 Years

Dorell Wright (SF) -- $3,540,000 / 3 years

Ekpe Udoh (PF) -- $3,065,040 / 2 Years

Clippers Giving Up:

Eric Bledsoe (PG) -- $1,485,000 / 2 Years

Eric Gordon (SG) -- $3,016,680 / 2 Years

DeAndre Jordan (C) -- $854,389 / 1 Year

Analysis:

Clippers might be reluctant to pull the trigger on this deal but Steph Curry & Blake Griffin could be an incredible duo. The Clips would be losing their young core but replacing with an equally young PG and center, plus adding a solid wing option in Dorell Wright.

Warriors need a young center who can bang and DeAndre Jordan could be the guy. Bledsoe seems to coming into his own nicely and Eric Gordon gives the Warriors an end-of-game option not named Monta Ellis.

Trade Scenario No. 3: Steph Curry To The Atlanta Hawks

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Warriors Giving Up:

Stephen Curry (PG) -- $2,913,840 / 2 Years

Dorell Wright (SF) -- $3,540,000 / 3 years

Brandon Wright (PF) -- $3,398,072 / 1 Year

Vladimir Radmanovic (SF) -- $6,883,800 / 1 Year

Hawks Giving Up:

Mike Bibby (PG) -- $5,564,767 / 2 Years

Josh Smith (PF) -- $11,700,000 / 3 Years

Analysis:

The Hawks need a scorer who can generate his own shot. Steph Curry brings play-making ability to a team whose offense is all too predictable. With Curry in the fold, Dorell Wright on the wing and Joe Johnson coming off screens, the Hawks could average better than their 22nd overall points per game total. Another bonus for the Hawks would be Curry eliminating a lot of the terrible shot selections from Jamal Crawford.

Mike Bibby could bring stability to the Warriors in the fourth quarter: a solid ball-handler with above average numbers from the foul line (not exactly Steph, but 80 percent would do the trick). Josh Smith is the X-factor in the deal. Smith loves to finish and would be a fan favorite at Oracle almost instantly. He's like the Anthony Randolph we always wanted and never got. Getting Wright and Vlad-Rad off the books would allow the Hawks to rebuild and give the Warriors room for Josh Smith's hefty contract.