Top News: “Highly Conflicting” as 3 Golden State Warriors who might not last the entire 2024-25 season
The Golden State Warriors’ offseason overhaul is still underway, as the front office and ownership continue to explore ways to enhance their roster around two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
As a result, Curry and possibly long-time teammate Draymond Green appear to be the only players deemed untouchable, meaning several others could be on the trading block if a suitable offer arises.
The Warriors have several key rotation players they might consider trading in the coming year. Since their disappointing exit in the Play-In Tournament, the team has been quite active—not only in free agency, where they lost veterans Klay Thompson and Chris Paul but also in acquiring De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, and Buddy Hield.
Before free agency, the Warriors traded for Lindy Waters III from the Oklahoma City Thunder and notably chased a deal for nine-time All-Star Paul George, though the L.A. Clippers were unwilling to agree.
Currently, the Warriors are most frequently linked to a trade for 2023 All-Star Lauri Markkanen, although there’s increasing speculation that the seven-foot forward might stay with the Utah Jazz and sign an extension when eligible on August 6.
If the Warriors can’t secure a deal for Markkanen, the lack of options in the trade market may lead them to maintain their current 14-player roster as they head into the season. However, they are expected to remain aggressive buyers, especially if another star player becomes available, allowing them to leverage their young talent and future draft picks.
It’s not necessary for them to make a blockbuster trade; they could also target a role player to fill a specific need or make moves that ensure long-term financial flexibility.
While every player except for Curry—and arguably Green—could be a trade target in the next year, let’s focus on three players in particular whose time with the Warriors may be coming to an end.
- Andrew Wiggins
Trade talks surrounding Andrew Wiggins seem to have quieted after Logan Murdock of The Ringer reported last month that, according to league sources, the 2022 All-Star would be “aggressively dangled in trade discussions.”
This was also the case during February’s trade deadline, yet Wiggins ultimately stayed with the Warriors and improved his performance in the closing months of the season. Nonetheless, it marked the worst year of his decade-long career, as he averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field.
This season was also the first of Wiggins’ four-year, $ 109 million contract, placing Golden State in a challenging position if the former first overall pick doesn’t return to form.
Next season could be particularly crucial for Wiggins, as the franchise is counting on him to bounce back given his significance on both offense and defense. However, if the 29-year-old begins the season struggling as he did last year, it’s hard to envision Golden State exercising much patience. Unfortunately, the worse Wiggins performs, the more his trade value diminishes, complicating any potential moves.
While the Warriors hope it doesn’t come to this, Wiggins might have to be traded simply to free up salary space if the franchise aims to maintain financial flexibility, particularly when considering extensions for fourth-year lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Currently, his contract stands as the most likely to be dealt if Golden State pursues a star player earning more than $ 25 million.
- Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II became a fan favorite and a key player during the Warriors’ 2021-22 championship campaign. However, since then, he has struggled with several injuries, limiting him to just 66 of 164 possible regular season games over the last two years.
These challenges led Payton to exercise his $ 9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season, but his future role with Golden State remains uncertain despite being recognized as one of the league’s top perimeter defenders.
In discussing Payton’s decision to opt into his contract, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater noted that his “midsized expiring deal could be valuable in salary-matching for potential trades.” The same could apply to veteran center Kevon Looney, whose contract was guaranteed for its final year last month; however, Payton might be at greater risk given the Warriors’ current roster situation.
While Golden State has only young center Trayce Jackson-Davis as a true big man behind Looney, the team has numerous players competing for Payton’s spot in the rotation. They have added guards and wings such as Lindy Waters III, De’Anthony Melton, and Buddy Hield this offseason, while Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski are all expected to see more playing time.
Payton could potentially be part of a trade for Lauri Markkanen if that materializes in the next week, but otherwise, the flexibility of his expiring contract might be leveraged in various trade scenarios before the end of next season.
- Moses Moody
It’s somewhat concerning that as Moses Moody enters his fourth year, there’s still uncertainty about his role in the rotation. The 2021 lottery pick had some standout performances and posted career-best numbers in nearly all statistical categories last season, but he also spent a significant amount of time on the bench.
Steve Kerr’s management of Moody has been a recurring topic for the Warriors over the past couple of years, and it may be time for both sides to consider a change for their mutual benefit.
On one hand, Moody could gain a lot from Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, as his size and 3-and-D skills make him a suitable candidate to fill that void on the Golden State roster.
On the other hand, his frequent appearances in trade rumors indicate that the Warriors are open to dealing him for the right offer. Earlier this month, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the franchise’s proposal for Lauri Markkanen included Moody along with a package of future draft picks, although the Jazz are also seeking highly valued players like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga.
Moody is eligible for an extension this offseason, but reaching an agreement seems unlikely given the disparity between his past performance and the potential he could show in his fourth year if he finally receives the consistent minutes and opportunities that have been lacking. It remains to be seen if that can occur under Kerr’s leadership with the Warriors.