On Tuesday night, Steph Curry stated that the Golden State Warriors are an average ball club.
Acquiring a New Orleans Pelicans superstar who could be on the move this season may help the Warriors change their status.
“Let’s assume that Rick Celebrini and the Golden State medical staff can work their magic on the former number one overall pick,” Blue Man Hoop’s Peter O’Keefe wrote Wednesday.
“Does he actually make sense from an on-court fit standpoint within Steve Kerr’s system?”
“Perhaps the Warriors just go after a young 25-point career scorer and work the rest out later, but acquiring Williamson would still leave many of the same concerns the franchise is facing with their current roster.”
“Golden State want to give Jonathan Kuminga over 30 minutes per game, but to do that they must ask Draymond Green to play a considerable amount of time as a small-ball center.”
“That not only hampers their defense somewhat, but it also puts a major physical toll on their veteran forward.”
“Bringing Williamson in would create the exact same issue — without the presence of a stretch five on the roster, Kerr would be left to play Green and Williamson together for significant minutes in an undersized front court.”
“This also assumes that Kuminga is in the trade, with absolutely no chance that you could have all three on the roster together.”
“Given you need a significant salary in order to reach the $36.7 million Williamson makes this season, perhaps the Warriors would need to consider the incredibly controversial idea of sacrificing Green in the trade.”
“There is the thought that Kuminga could play more at the three with a floor spacing five out on the floor with him.”
“In this scenario the number one priority would be acquiring one either before the deadline or during the offseason, leaving a front court of Kuminga, Williamson and whatever stretch big they can get their hands on.”
“Either way one of Kuminga or Green would have to be moved in a Williamson trade, and given the financial complications, perhaps it makes more sense for it to be the 34-year-old franchise legend instead of the 22-year-old upstart.”
While the Pelicans would love to keep Williamson around for the long haul, the two-time All-Star’s fragility makes it nearly impossible.
Entering the 2024-25 campaign, Williamson was reportedly in tremendous shape and preparing to remind the NBA world he’s still an exceptional talent.
Unfortunately, Williamson hasn’t been able to shake a frustrating left hamstring injury, which has forced him to miss over 20 contests.
The Duke product averages 22.7 points on 45.2% field goal shooting this year, but he hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since Nov. 6.
The Warriors, desperate for a big-time backcourt or frontcourt contributor, may pursue Williamson before the Feb. 6 trade deadline passes.
However, the organization will likely attempt to craft a trade package that doesn’t include a multi-dimensional four-time NBA champion in Green.
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