Report: Warriors now more willing to discuss trading young core originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors were very confident in the talent on their roster at the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season.
However, after losing nine of their last eleven games, that could have changed.
Since losing to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup quarterfinals last week, Golden State has “ramped up” its activity in the trade market, Clutch Points NBA insider Brett Siegel reported in his latest column, citing sources.
Additionally, the Warriors, ranked 14th and 12th and No. 10 in the Western Conference, are now more willing than ever to discuss their young core of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski in potential trade talks, Siegel added . a source.
That hasn’t always been the case for Golden State, which has retained the utmost faith in its youthful trio and been committed to its growth.
But by being open to involving their young players in potential deals, several possibilities could now be opened up for Golden State, which has been eager to land a big star to pair with franchise superstar Steph Curry, according to several reports dating from the low season.
One player in particular is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, someone Siegel labels the Warriors as the absolute “favorites” to trade for.
However, Butler’s contract and Golden State’s hard cap on the first platform make things a bit tricky, likely forcing the Warriors to trade a handful of players to make the money work.
According to reports, the Phoenix Suns and Butler also share a mutual interest.
Kuminga, Moody, Podziemski and Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis are often considered the future of the franchise. But Kuminga’s inconsistency, Moody’s faltering role and Podziemski’s frustrating struggles could complicate matters.
“It would have to be something that we thought would unequivocally change the trajectory of our franchise,” Dunleavy said in June of what it would take to be open to trading some of their young core.
Six months later, he shared where his mentality is now that the deadline is quietly approaching.
“We are always aggressive,” Dunleavy said in a Zoom with reporters on Monday. “You have to think about what you’re giving up, what you’re getting back, all those things. But whatever we can do to make the team better, we’ll do it.”
Golden State is moving forward with Jonathan Kuminga’s Year 4 expiration date, but many league personnel outside the Warriors organization believe Kuminga’s time is limited, Siegel reported, citing sources. The 22-year-old did not agree to a contract extension with the team before the start of this season, and many see this campaign as his way of proving his contract value.
Through 24 games this season, Kuminga is averaging 15.3 points on 44.1 percent shooting with 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 25.3 minutes. He was a powerful presence for the Warriors at times, but is that enough?
Meanwhile, Podziemski’s slump remains a concern. The 21-year-old is averaging 8.2 points on 39.6 percent from the field and 25.8 percent from 3-point range, along with 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 24.5 minutes.
Moody is dealing with a knee injury that has sidelined him for the past three games. Prior to the injury, he was averaging 7.4 points on 42 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from long range, with 1.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists. The Arkansas native signed a three-year extension with fellow Warriors in October.
It’s no secret that the Warriors are focused on maximizing Curry’s championship window. What worked at the start of the season is no longer sufficient.
The signing of Dennis Schroder should help despite his Warriors debut resulting in a disastrous loss in Memphis, but Golden State may need to shake things up before the league’s Feb. 6 trade deadline — and it appears they’re focusing more on their feel comfortable as they part ways with their former trade deadline. -promising assets for great returns.
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