5 rim protectors the Golden State Warriors should trade for

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 3: Dewayne Dedmon #14 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 3, 2018 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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The Golden State Warriors have struggled to protect the rim, and it should be a cause for concern.

Following the Golden State Warriors Christmas Day showdown with the LA Lakers, it was obvious they needed help protecting the paint. The game immediately following that one, a home game against the Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic further proved the need for a rim protector in the Bay.

Those two games, the first in which Ivan Zubac put up 18 points on 9-for-10 from the field and the second in which Jusuf Nurkic put up a season-high 27 points, perfectly displayed their need for a dominant defensive center.

DeMarcus Cousins will come back and play a factor into how their defensive gameplan, but he’ll more than likely, not be dominant on the defensive end. Possible not as athletic as he once was, it’ll be interesting to see how teams attack Cousins upon his return.

That said, the Dubs were fine protecting the paint when Damian Jones was healthy. He was a more athletic and more impactful defender than Kevon Looney has been this season. Jones went down with a season-ending injury a few weeks ago.

Looney has stepped up to the best of his abilities, but the Dubs could use more. Even with Cousins’ return imminent, they should still search for a capable rim-protecting center.

With that, let’s break down a few potential options for Golden State.

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