As Warriors owner Joe Lacob emphasized in February, Golden State intends to do whatever it takes to best position itself to compete for an NBA championship.
With the offseason approaching, that theme seems likely to remain, especially after the Warriors missed the 2024 playoffs after losing to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA play-in tournament in April.
According to an article published Thursday, Athletic Anthony Slater detailed why Golden State has been so busy this offseason.
“Nothing is imminent or deeply planned, but trade date is rapidly approaching,” Slater prefaced. “Indications remain that the Warriors front office feels they were given a chance to come together at the trade deadline, but didn't even qualify for the playoffs, and they intend to aggressively replace their core.”
The Warriors need as many stars as they can to back up 36-year-old superstar Stephen Curry, and no one knows if Klay Thompson, a 13-year veteran with Golden State, will return.
Golden State signaled a willingness to make significant adjustments last summer when it traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards for fellow guard Chris Paul, a surprising move at the time that didn't translate into the desired results.
Regardless of what the Warriors do, it will be an uphill battle as the franchise must manage the luxury tax.
“What will that be? It's hard to decipher without knowing what will be available to them and how they plan to navigate the luxury tax,” Slater continued. “The Warriors have expressed a preference to avoid it altogether if the opportunity arises, but have signaled they would be open to staying in it if there was a move they believe would put them back in contention for a championship.”
“What moves or players would that be? Is it possible that this season will simply be a season of regression, even if it's not communicated that way?”
Lacob is hoping to avoid the Golden State Warriors' $88.4 million luxury tax overdraft for the 2023-24 NBA season.
But he wants to win a title and is willing to acquire a player with a bigger contract if it fits the Warriors' goals and timeline. After all, Golden State called the Los Angeles Lakers as the NBA trade deadline approached to negotiate a contract with rival LeBron James.
The Warriors need another superstar, but they have to be realistic, and Slater listed some players he thinks Golden State could consider acquiring from the Eastern Conference:
Two notable situations: [New Orleans Pelicans forward] “If Brandon Ingram hits the trade market, I don't think the Warriors would be interested,” Slater concluded. [Miami] Heat Shop [forward] As for Jimmy Butler, I expect the Warriors to be in the discussion at least to some extent.”
Butler is coming off a season in which he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and five assists per game and would be an intriguing two-way option to pair with Curry if available, but the Miami star is 34 and has struggled with injuries and general fatigue as of late.
Golden State has no choice but to do so. something The team, in its current form, is not likely to survive through the 2024-25 season, so they are calling it quits this offseason.
Certainly, Slater believes something is brewing in San Francisco. Who knows if Dub Nation will get to see Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green on the court again as Warriors teammates.
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