Trade Season Begins: Breaking Down The Warriors’ Options

December 15 passed quietly but meaningfully. Several free-agent signings saw their trade restrictions lifted. League-wide cap flexibility has increased as a result. That shift matters for a team searching for marginal upgrades.

Steph Curry Still Carries the Load

The Warriors are enjoying another elite Curry season. He averages 28.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. He also adds 1.3 steals per game. Curry shoots 39.0 percent on 12.2 three-point attempts nightly.

Despite his brilliance, Golden State owns a bottom-10 offense, ranked 21st. That number surprises given their volume shooting. The Warriors make almost 16 threes per game, most in the league. Yet they struggle to score consistently.

Butler, Green, and Structural Problems

Jimmy Butler impacts games defensively and emotionally. His shooting splits look efficient at 52/44/85. Those numbers hide offensive decline. Butler attempts just 11.9 shots per game, among the lowest of his career.

He no longer carries an offense nightly. Golden State signed him as a second option. That role now exceeds his consistency. Still, Butler averages almost 20 points and draws fouls effectively.

Draymond Green remains an elite defender though his powers are waning. His rebounding also continues to decline. Steve Kerr often plays Butler at power forward and Green at center. That alignment hurts them on the glass.

Golden State are borderline bottom-10 in rebounding, at 19th. The small-ball system once defined them. Today, it exposes them. Still, they own an elite defense, ranked third. That gives them some flexibility.

Kuminga Holds the Key

The Warriors’ goals are straightforward. They need length and rebounding. Jonathan Kuminga represents the clearest path.

He drew interest from Sacramento and Phoenix in the summer. He later signed a two-year, $48.5 million deal. Kuminga is an elite athlete with isolation scoring upside. He also commits costly turnovers.

Those flaws frustrate Kerr. Kuminga opened the season as a starter. Golden State began 4–1 with him in that role. His inconsistency later pushed him to the bench. A trade before the deadline is inevitable.

Secondary Trade Assets

Brandin Podziemski also carries trade value. He was once central to Lauri Markkanen discussions. That perception has cooled internally. Few now view him as a core piece.

Podziemski averages 12 points, nearly five rebounds, and over three assists. He shoots nearly 40 percent from three on solid volume. That profile appeals to teams seeking spacing.

External Targets on the Board

Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. fits Golden State’s needs cleanly. He provides scoring, rebounding, and size. Porter averages nearly 26 points and over seven rebounds. He also posts a career-high three assists.

Porter earns $38 million this season. Golden State would need picks to complete a deal. Brooklyn also offers depth options. Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe could help immediately. Sharpe averages nearly 16 points and over 12 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Atlanta’s Kristaps Porziņģis represents another option. He is managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. When available, he remains productive. Porziņģis averages 19 points, six rebounds, and nearly two blocks in 26 minutes.

A Bigger Swing Possibility

Domantas Sabonis also looms as a bold alternative. Sacramento appears open to a reset. Sabonis averages 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Those numbers sit below his peak.

Still, Sabonis led the league in rebounding three straight seasons. At 29, he offers durability and interior dominance. He would immediately solve Golden State’s biggest weakness. He has missed time this season with a partial meniscus tear.