Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Warriors can't afford to stand pat ahead of trade deadline

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 12:36 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors are expected to be active ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Steve Kerr's team has struggled with consistency this season and currently sits eighth in the Western Conference with an 18-16 record.

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has already made one trade this season, acquiring Dennis Schroder to add depth at the guard positions. However, there is clearly still room for improvement, especially if the Warriors truly wish to contend this season.

Interestingly, it appears that Steve Kerr is open to the idea of moving forward with his current roster. When speaking to the media ahead of Golden State's 121-113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Kerr noted how the Warriors should wait to see how the current roster performs over the next few weeks before making any decisions regarding a trade.

“For me, it's let's see what we can do these next few weeks,” Kerr said. “Hopefully, we settle into this rotation and start shooting the ball better. I think with Dennis in the mix now, we have a chance to really be a great defensive team again like we were early in the year, and if we can put it together, then we may not need to do anything. But we definitely need to take this next month and really see what we have.”

Asked Steve Kerr pregame about the team's thought process heading towards the deadline. His answer: pic.twitter.com/GqDOec1zi1
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 5, 2025

Golden State has had months to assess how its current roster fits together. It already has the necessary data. Sure, Schroder's slow start has created some uncertainty, but there's no doubt that his addition won't move the needle enough for the franchise to emerge as a contender.

Choosing to wait until closer to the trade deadline is foolish. It would mean the front office is operating against the clock, which would produce an air of desperation around the franchise. Most importantly, it would mean Golden State could miss out on possible difference-makers.

The Warriors can't continue resting on their success of the past. If they want to contend, they must be decisive and make the necessary adjustments to give Kerr the talent he needs. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green aren't getting any younger. Golden State has done enough waiting around; now, it's time for it to go and get what it needs to fight its way back to the top.

If the front office isn't willing to make those calls, then perhaps it's time to start leaning into a rebuild and having that tough conversation with Curry and Green.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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