Golden State Warriors Trade Rumors: This Kelly Oubre Jr. deal makes too much sense
The Golden State Warriors are interested in Suns’ small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., and this simple deal may be the most likely.
There’s no denying the Golden State Warriors will be looking to improve their roster this offseason. After a mere 15-win season, the team, despite getting back a healthy Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, will need more.
Last offseason, they lost Kevin Durant, adding D’Angelo Russell. They eventually dealt Russell in a blockbuster midseason deal to acquire a top potential high-value pick in the 2021 NBA Draft along with Andrew Wiggins.
Lost in all the reshuffling was the trading of beloved Warrior Andre Iguodala. Iguodala was dealt to Memphis. In the deal, the Warriors were granted a $17.2 million trade exception which could help the team this offseason.
Many of their trade targets could be brought in using it, but the Warriors may opt to save the money. One player that they’ve been linked to could be added via the extension, and that’s Phoenix’s Kelly Oubre Jr.
“The name that keeps popping up when you talk to people is Kelly Oubre. Can they get him in? What would they have to give up? They have the trade exception for Andre Iguodala as well that expires here in a little bit,” ESPN’s Nick Friedell said on “The Jump.”
Oubre Jr. has made significant jumps in his game every season he’s been in the league. With the Suns having the 10th overall pick in the coming draft, the perfect yet simple trade could surface where the Warriors get said pick and Oubre Jr. for their No. 2 overall selection.
The 24-year-old’s salary could be taken on with the exception.
The other aspect of the deal is the pick compensation, and the difference in the picks shouldn’t concern Golden State too much. They’ve reportedly been eyeing (what feels like) every top prospect, so one will likely slip into the double digits.
As for Oubre Jr., he hit a career-high 1.9 threes per game and shot over 35 percent from deep last season. Being ultra-athletic as well, Oubre Jr. could be the perfect player to fill as a second unit’s leader and even potentially start over Andrew Wiggins.
Oubre Jr. is a perfect fit for Golden State, and if that simple, realistic trade comes to fruition, it’ll be because the Warriors don’t value their pick as much as the media thought and that the team isn’t afraid to use their exception.
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Both could be highly possible as we’re now two weeks away from draft night.