This has not been the start that Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors expected. If not for an injury […]
This has not been the start that Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors expected. If not for an injury suffered by the superstar guard during last season’s playoffs, the veteran-filled team looked like a serious NBA Finals contender. That is why there were high expectations for this year. However, the team has been underwhelming after the first quarter of the campaign.
Entering their game on Thursday, Golden State owns a sad 13-14 record. While Curry has missed a few games, they’ve been pretty healthy and have more than enough talent to be better than this. But even when they got the future Hall-of-Famer back on the court this week, he looked great, but they still lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers.
Warriors management must consider whether they should begin a rebuild because their championship window with this old roster looks to be shut. While it’s unlikely they would trade Curry, he would get the most interest on the trade market. If Golden State were bold enough to move him for long-term assets, let’s look at five teams that could target a deal.
Oklahoma City Thunder
This would be the nightmare scenario for the rest of the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder really don’t need to make any moves. They are the defending champs and are on pace to set a new single-season wins record. However, they could have four first-rounders in what could be one of the best NBA Drafts in a while. Two or three of those picks would thrill the Warriors. OKC has the assets to make any trade they want right now.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets rebuild is not going well, and they could have a top-three pick in next year’s draft. While reports claim they prefer to maintain the status quo, getting a legend like Curry — even just for a year and a half — might appeal to the organization. Especially when it comes to trying to sell tickets and compete with the New York Knicks.
The Nets have the young players and draft chips to interest the Warriors and the cap space to make a trade very easy to complete.
Atlanta Hawks
Despite being without top star Trae Young for the last few weeks, the Atlanta Hawks have shown they have a very good young core that is one big star away from making serious noise in the East. While they have been linked to a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, maybe a deal for Curry is a better fit.
A trade package that includes Young, the Hawks’ second pick in round one of June’s NBA Draft, and future selections is something the Warriors would definitely consider.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz look like they could be a lottery team again this season. However, they have two pretty good players in Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte Geoge. They simply need more impact talent if they really want to get back to the playoffs. Curry doesn’t really fit their timeline, but owner Ryan Smith is growing tired of losing seasons after buying the team in 2020.
He could force Danny Ainge to make a trade if Curry were available. Utah has the trade chips to make a deal possible.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are all in on winning a championship this season. The one thing they lack after Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending injury is a playmaker who is a natural guard. Furthermore, they are very close to being a big problem for the Thunder, but just need a bit more. Steph Curry can be that.
Would the Rockets be bold enough to mortgage future first-rounders and a couple of their youngsters for a season and a half of the NBA legend? Maybe.
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