The Golden State Warriors are in a tough spot two days before this season’s trade deadline.
The organization is still in the mix for Milwaukee Bucks 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, outside of that, there aren’t a ton of assets the seven-time NBA champions could realistically acquire by Thursday.
In Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale's eyes, a Jonathan Kuminga-centered reunion trade for a 6-foot-7 NBA champion forward should be among the limited options on the table for the Dubs.
“Jimmy Butler's torn ACL submarines not just this season for the Golden State Warriors as currently constructed, but potentially the next one, too,” Favale wrote Tuesday.
“And since they already seemed unlikely to take a massive swing when he was healthy, their activity without him is bound to be even less impressive. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has essentially confirmed as much.”
“Reuniting with (Andrew) Wiggins isn't sexy, but he promises familiarity, plug-and-play offense, and much-needed size on the wings. The Warriors have apparently talked to the Miami Heat about a deal built around Jonathan Kuminga—and what I can only assume is a protected first-round pick. Beyond additional salary, if that's all it takes to bag Wiggins, he represents a happy medium Golden State should indulge.”
Wiggins has earned the right to be linked to the franchise that helped him capture his first championship. Some players fall off a cliff after getting traded midseason, but that hasn’t been the case for Wiggins.
The Kansas product has remained a trustworthy long-range shooting threat, pull-up jump shooter, and powerful downhill attacker since leaving the Dubs via a trade to the Heat last February. Wiggins, who can help a championship-hopeful franchise this season, is averaging 15.6 points per contest on 46.8% field goal shooting and 38.4% three-point shooting.
A return to the Bay could be in the cards for Wiggins, but a trade will likely only materialize if the Warriors fail to land on the same page with Antetokounmpo.
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