The Golden State Warriors only lose at the deadline by not trading
The Golden State Warriors have too many tradable assets to sit still during what is typically the craziest half-week period of the season.
That said, the Golden State Warriors need to be active in this trade deadline.
With just over 48 hours till the deadline, the Golden State Warriors have already seen the rumors pile in. However, the rumors have been for D’Angelo Russell, a player the Dubs seem adamant about not trading.
The team’s bidding for Russell are the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, two teams looking to enhance their rebuild by making Russell the center of their offense. There’s no real expectation that he’s dealt.
Other Warriors, however, should be seeking attention from top-tier NBA teams, not the bottom of the barrel organizations trying to rebuild. Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III are the two veterans that are left on one-year contracts after Willie Cauley-Stein was dealt to Dallas just weeks ago.
Burks, who is nearing 16 points per game, and Robinson, who is averaging over 12 while shooting almost 40% from downtown, both have characteristics that should make contenders want to buy-low on them.
The 6-foot-6 Burks can play both ends of the court while has shown an aptitude at getting to the rim. Robinson is also a two-way stud that is a bit better shoot yet not as dominant as an all-around scoring option.
But, what truly makes them both stand out is their one-year, veteran’s minimum contracts. Those contracts make teams on the verge of a high luxury tax engaged at the idea of adding talent for bare minimum cost.
Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, and even Philadelphia should all be looking at Golden State to improve their roster late in the season. For the Warriors, it should boil down to the highest bidder. There’s no reason in keeping Robinson and Burks so might as well deal them.
By hanging on to them, you lose out on potential draft capital. The only way Golden State loses the next 48 hours of trade talks is by not making a trade. They have the assets that are wasting away on a 12-win team.
Let them go, get the capital, and prepare for next year: That should be Golden State’s motto.