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Victor Oladipo should be the Warriors priority trade target

By Nathan Beighle

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a play during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a play during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have proven that they’ll do what it takes to win, and could that come in the form of them trading for the Rockets’ Victor Oladipo?

This offseason, the Golden State Warriors were given the news that Klay Thompson would be out another full season. It was devastating as the draft was just a handful of hours away, and reality quickly hit the Golden State front office.

The Warriors didn’t change their draft strategy and still went with James Wiseman. But, that didn’t replace the playmaking of Thompson. What they were hoping replaced Thompson’s playmaking was the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr.

Sadly, despite a recent 40-point performance from the young two-guard, that hasn’t quite been the solution that they hoped for. That said, there’s going to be a plethora of moves around the March 25 trade deadline, and Victor Oladipo could be on the move again.

He was initially dealt from the Pacers to the Rockets. With the Rockets unlikely to make the playoffs and with a new head coach, they could easily have a firesale with players like PJ Tucker and Oladipo finding a new home.

NBC Sports’ Josh Schrock ranked eight trade targets for the Warriors, and Oladipo came in at No. 3.

"“If Houston does indeed want to trade Oladipo, he would be a much better fit with the Warriors than Oubre has been. Oladipo isn’t the star he was prior to his ruptured quad tendon, but he can provide more consistent scoring and is a solid defender,” Schrock wrote."

Averaging 19.8 points per game this season, Oladipo has been thriving on the offensive end. Coming into the league as a solid, defensive-minded shooting guard, Oladipo’s game has transformed into an all-out star.

What the Warriors need is that consistent No. 2 option. Stephen Curry probably won’t be enough to take the team to the Finals by himself.

Oladipo is also averaging 2.5 threes per game, so he’s shown a touch from downtown this season as well. A top-tier defender, a solid scorer, and a capable shooter, Oladipo would be a perfect fit with the Warriors.

The tough part of the equation comes in the salary cap situation. The seven-year guard is set to make $21 million. The Warriors would likely and unwillingly have to include Andrew Wiggins who is quietly having the most impactful season of his career.

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The logistics don’t quite make sense yet, but the fit would be quintessential for both sides.

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