The best move for the Golden State Warriors right now may be to stick rather than twist, it is claimed.
Amid a tough, challenging season for the once all-dominant Golden State Warriors, the latest discussion surrounds their next move.
Steve Kerr knows he is too reliant on Stephen Curry, and many fans want the team to make a trade to bring in help to support the ageing superstar.
Curry has warned against a desperate move, and comments he doubled-down on, which have relieved some pressure from general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.
It is still being suggested the Warriors should make a trade for Nikola Vucevic – and while this may be the best they can do right now, what about later in the year?
Warriors must keen Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstake ticket
Following Bobby Marks’ suggestion the Warriors could be in play for Zion Williamson in the summer, an even more attractive example has been held up.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk told The Hoop Collective that the Warriors could be in play for Giannis Antetokounmpo if the situation goes south for him with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Youngmisuk’s argument is that the options now for the Warriors are not good enough to burn their assets for – but in the summer, the situation could change.
He explained: “If you only have so many assets, I’m holding them for whenever a true superstar, that is a franchise altering superstar, becomes available to take that swing.
“If you go and give up some of these assets now for a Niko Vucevic, Jimmy Butler… I don’t think think there’s interest in Butler.
“But if they were to do that, you can’t take a swing then if things go bad in Milwaukee with Giannis this summer, and that is why you have to hold on to your assets to make a run at a guy like that if he becomes available.
“Because I think Golden State is uniquely positioned for someone like Giannis because of Steph’s friendship with Giannis, and Giannis having, kind of like hinted in the past that, you know the Bay might be intriguing to him with the Warriors.
“You got to then hold on to your assets for that.”
The Warriors cannot of course invest in a pipedream and wait for a scenario that may never happen, but we have seen in the NBA how situations can unfold very quickly – just look at Jimmy Butler’s multiple fallings out with his teams during his career.
Giannis previously hailed Curry as the best player in the world after he led the Warriors to the fourth championship win of his distinguished career, in 2022.
Warriors have more to show
Youngmisuk added that the Warriors are yet to show their full form this season, having recently been beset by injuries.
He pointed out Jonathan Kuminga’s development, a player who has been hailed as the next great Warriors star by former NBA champion BJ Armstrong.
He explained: “Also, I think look Jonathan Kuminga, he’s hurt right now, but he just showed just enough in those six games prior to getting hurt enough where he scored 34 in consecutive games that Steve Kerr said it looks like he’s turning the corner, and understanding how to play with Draymond and Steph on the floor.”
Former Warriors star Chris Mullin also believes the Warriors solution this season may be in-house, strengthening the argument to wait for the summer to see who is available, whether that be Giannis or not.