The Golden State Warriors are in a weak position where they risk missing out on the play-in tournament berths.
A recent 7-17 run has seen the Golden State Warriors relinquish their strong start to the NBA season.
The Warriors are 19-20 for the season after losing 104-101 to the Toronto Raptors, a team that won just their eighth game of the season in the victory.
Despite kind words from the Raptors head coach, star player Stephen Curry was disconsolate after the game.
What Steph Curry said about trades
Asked in the locker room whether the Golden State Warriors should pursue a trade, Stephen Curry issued a warning.
He expressed fear that the Warriors could damage their future by making an irresponsible trade.
He said: “Desperate trades that deplete the future? There’s a responsibility of keeping the franchise in a good space [long term].
“That doesn’t mean you’re not trying to get better… It’s better to be patient and understand what that looks like.”
Brian Windhorst reacts with surprise
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reacted with surprise to Stephen Curry’s comments, explaining that he had never heard a star player be so selfless.
He even compared Curry to LeBron James, whose teams have always given up multiple future picks to try and help him in the present.
Windhorst explained: “I don’t think I’ve ever heard this from a star player. Worry about where the franchise is after we’re gone.
“This is like the anti-LeBron, LeBron is a guy ‘take all the draft picks seven years into the future, I don’t care about 2031’.”
He added: “I don’t know what Steph’s conversations were with the front office… I’m now wondering if the Warriors make a trade, it’s to dump money out of their roster and get out of the luxury tax. Their franchise player is saying don’t be desperate.
“That was a phenomenally interesting statement Steph Curry made last night.”
Stephen A. Smith weighs in
Fellow ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith weighed in, to suggest the Golden State Warriors still have a real dilemma, despite Curry’s comments.
He said: “I appreciate the selflessness on Steph Curry’s part, but on the same breath, he is still greatest shooter God ever created.
“He is still made of that championship armor. And if I’m the Golden State Warriors, do I say let me build incrementally and gradually, or do I really go for it like I have SC playing like he’s in his prime?”
Curry has already won four NBA championships, and perhaps if his team was on the precipice, he would feel strongly about making a trade,
But with the Warriors so far away right now, it feels like he fears they would just make a bad situation slightly better, with worse repercussions.