The Golden State Warriors held off on making any big moves at the recently passed trade deadline, but one report suggests that the team could save the fireworks for the upcoming offseason.
The Warriors largely held pat at the deadline, moving only two reserves in exchange for cash considerations and opening up roster spots that give the team more flexibility for the remainder of the season. General manager Bob Myers said the team did not want to give up too much in exchange for a playoff run this season, leading them to hold onto the two most coveted assets — the top-three protected Minnesota pick and rookie center James Wiseman. A new report suggests that one of those will be on the move this offseason as the team adopts a win-now approach.
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Warriors Target Raptors Big Man
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz predicts that Golden State will re-assess their commitment to Wiseman in the offseason. The recently turned 20-year-old center has been seen as a project, with head coach Steve Kerr committing to giving him more playing time over the course of the final stretch of the season to move along his development. But the Warriors will also be at something of a crossroads next season, with Klay Thompson expected to return and an uncertain number of seasons that both he and Steph Curry will be at their peak.
Swartz believes the Warriors will decide to go all-in on another title run, trading Wiseman and swingman Andrew Wiggins to the Toronto Raptors for C/PF Pascal Siakam and center Chris Boucher. While the Warriors have been committed to Wiseman this year, the Bleacher Report writer believes they will opt for the immediate boost that Siakam would bring.
HBD PASCAL SIAKAM!
2010: Started playing basketball
2016: Drafted 27th in the NBA
2017: D-League Champion
2017: D-League Finals MVP
2019: Most Improved Player
2019: NBA Champion
2020: NBA All-Star Starter
2020: NBA All-NBA 2nd Team
His ability as a willing passer and defender fits the Warriors’ DNA, and his play in the 2019 Finals (19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists on 50.5 percent shooting) was a big reason why Golden State wasn’t able to three-peat. A frontcourt of Siakam and Draymond Green could mix and match defensively while still giving the Warriors a third scorer behind Curry and Thompson.
Warriors Connected to Siakam
Others have already pegged Siakam as a potential target for the Warriors. In a pre-trade deadline podcast, Bill Simmons proposed a deal where the Warriors would land Siakam in exchange for Wiggins and the other top asset, the Minnesota pick. Simmons believed that it was unlikely that the trade would play out, noting that the Warriors had been wary of parting with the pick.
Pascal Siakam goes off for a season-high 36 PTS in 3 quarters of action on his birthday!
Gary Trent Jr.: 24 PTS, 6 3PM
OG Anunoby: 21 PTS
“I actually think both teams say no. But there would definitely be three-hour meetings on both sides,” Simmons said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “That Minnesota pick — it’s such a fascinating trade asset because it could end up being awesome. Seems like it’s gonna be awesome.”
The pick is on track to be a major boost for the Warriors. Minnesota has the league’s worst record, which if stands would give the Warriors a roughly 60 percent chance of getting either the No. 4 or No. 5 pick.
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Warriors Could Target Raptors All-Star in Offseason Blockbuster: Report