Despite many rumors as we approach the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, it seems increasingly likely the Golden State Warriors will keep their four-time championship core together for the remainder of the season.
New reports are suggesting that the Warriors will not trade Draymond Green or Klay Thompson without Stephen Curry‘s approval.
This season, Green is averaging 9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in 16 games played. Meanwhile, Thompson is averaging 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Statistically, this is Thompson’s worst season since his 2013-14 season.
Currently, the Golden State Warriors own a 19-24 record and sit as the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. Additionally, the Warriors have lost two straight games and are 3-7 in their last 10 contests. Because of the team’s disappointing season thus far, a change in Golden State seems necessary. Thompson’s contract expires at the end of the season. Green, on the other hand, is under contract until his player option after the 2026-27 season. By that point, Green will be 37 years old.
NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Keeping Core Together?
The Golden State Warriors Seem Inevitable to Make a Trade
Currently, it is unclear whether Curry is interested in parting ways with Thompson and/or Green. However, The Athletic’s Shams Charania has reported that the Warriors are gauging the trade market for a few of their veterans. This includes Curry’s “splash brother”:
“The Warriors are on the other end of the stick. They’ve lost six of eight games,” Charania said on FanDuel’s “Run It Back.” “We’ve talked about it. Everyone is on the table except for Steph Curry. So when you think about it, realistically, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Poziemski, those are two guys that they’re high on [and] they want to keep long term. They view [them] as part of their core moving forward.
“They’re going to take calls on Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, and could they get interest on a guy even like Klay Thompson? I think those are very much open conversations for the Warriors. They have to be open-minded. This is a team that’s five games under 500, in that 12th spot. So we’ll see if there’s going to be any moves over the next 10 days.”
It appears there may be more than just rumors suggesting the Golden State Warriors could move on from the five-time NBA All-Star.
Will the Warriors Keep Green and Thompson?
Ultimately, as long as Curry remains with the team, it is difficult to see the Warriors blowing it up and not fighting for another NBA title. This is especially true considering the team is less than two years removed from their fourth championship under this regime. It seems likely the team will trade one of their other veterans to better support the core that has brought them this far.
One team to look out for is the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have reportedly shown interest in Wiggins:
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, “those Dallas rumblings [about Wiggins] have been out there.” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto also reported that “Dallas has always liked him [Wiggins], and they’re looking to upgrade at the three.”
The NBA Trade Deadline is on February 8. It should be interesting to see what the Warriors will look like for what could be the team’s final hurrah.
