The Golden State Warriors, after losing in the second round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, are facing a reckoning. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler are rapidly aging, and their title window is closing quickly.
In an effort to extend the window as much as possible, the Warriors must sacrifice young talent in a win-now move. They have been linked to the Boston Celtics, who need to cut salaries and deal with Jayson Tatum's injury. Derrick White seems like the Warriors' best target, although mock trades have sent Jrue Holiday to Golden State.
While White and Holiday would certainly help Golden State's title bid, they desperately need a big body down low to rebound and score. Green and Butler can defend fairly well against bigger centers, so the Warriors can sacrifice interior defense for offense.
The Celtics, once again, seem like an ideal trade partner.
Kristaps Porzingis
Jan 20, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis (8) holds onto a rebound next to Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) in the third quarter at the Chase Center.
© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Mock Trade Sends Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State
Boston, without Tatum, is expected to take a step back next season. With the second apron looming, Boston's best course is to cut payroll and have a bit of a gap year. The odd man out is almost certainly Kristaps Porzingis, who is a very solid player, but could easily be replaced by Boston in time for Tatum's recovery.
Prozingis shot 41.2 percent from deep this season, and averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
Full Mock Trade Details
Warriors receive: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics receive: Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, Trayce Jackson-Davis, 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
This trade allows the Celtics to cut $5.6 million from next season's payroll and adds some young depth in Jackson-Davis and Moody.
The Warriors, meanwhile, commit to a starting five of Curry, Butler, Green, Porzingis, and Brandin Podziemski. Three of those players are known as hard-nosed defenders, and most of them are scoring threats from all over the court.
Depth would be an issue for the Warriors, although with a title-worthy core, it stands to reason that some veterans would be willing to take a pay cut in a quest to win a ring with Curry.
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