Potential Warriors Trades Involving Second Overall Pick
By: Daniel Velasquez
If you are not a Warriors fan, you are probably punching the air right now. Even when they lose, they win. After being ravaged by injuries, the Warriors finished the season 15-50, dead last in the Western Conference. They entered the draft lottery guaranteed a top five pick and landed the second overall pick, which had a 13.4% probability.
This is not your perpetual cellar-dweller draft lottery team, the Warriors came into the season making seven straight playoff appearances, five NBA Finals appearances, while winning three out of five. With next season’s starting lineup consisting of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green the odds are in their favor to once again make a finals appearance. This year's draft, is one that is not loaded with day-one impact players, unlike last year's which included Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. The Warriors do not have time to develop players. They are in a position to win now, which is why they may be inclined to shop the pick. Two of the Warriors biggest needs are a backup point guard and third scorer to compliment Curry and Thompson. Here are two possible trades that can address their biggest needs and get the Warriors back to the Finals after their one-year hiatus:
Warriors receive Dennis Schroder and 25th overall pick.
Thunder receive second overall pick.
One of the biggest weak spots for the Warriors is the backup point guard position and will be a position they will look to improve via the draft, a trade or free agency addition.
Schroder was a favorite to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award as he averaged 18.9 ppg, shooting 46.9% from the field, 38.5% from Three, four assists per game, coming off the bench for the thunder.He has been used in a three-guard lineup along with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which can also be implemented in Golden State with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
Warriors receive: Bradley Beal
Wizards receive Andrew Wiggins and second overall pick.
Although John Wall will be making a return this upcoming season, at best, is equipped to be in the mix for a playoff spot. So do not be surprised if the Wizards are willing to shop Beal. This trade would give the Warriors a much-needed third option, who can create their own shot. Beal is coming off a career year, where he averaged 30.5 ppg on 45.5% and 35.5% from three point range, six assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The starting five would be a scary one, consisting of Curry, Beal, Thompson (sliding over to small forward), Green and Looney. The Wizards will also benefit from this trade as they will have two top ten picks in the draft to pair alongside Wiggins and Wall.
The Warriors also have a 17.2 million trade exception from the Andre Iguodala deal. Which can be used to bring anyone on the team as long as their 2020-2021 salary is less than or equal to the 17.2 million. The trade exception can also be packaged with this year's second overall pick or next year's first-round pick for a top-tier player. The options are endless for the Golden State Warriors and no matter what they choose to do their choices only seems to benefit them in the end.