While the Golden State Warriors took down the Utah Jazz, they have not looked good over the course of the last few weeks. Despite an eruption in the first quarter from Stephen Curry, Golden State was blown out against the Lakers.
As they’re set to have an aggressive mindset towards the trade deadline, which takes place on March 25, this franchise may be forced to bring in additional talent just to make the playoffs, currently sitting in the ninth seed.
The Warriors have been bounced outside the West’s top-eight seeds, and they may need to make some trades to get back to where they once were.
Heading into the second half of the season, the Warriors’ schedule will lighten up, Thankfully, they’ll have a very good shot at going on a five-game win streak as they’ll take on an Embiid-less Philadelphia, Memphis twice, Houston and Sacramento.
Hope should not be lost quite yet.
The trade deadline is still around the corner, and the Warriors may make it a relatively active one. With players on the market that could transform this team, Golden State will have every chance to deal away young prospects and bring in key veterans.
The problem is that the line between a player that immensely helps this team and costs the Minnesota first-round pick is tight. Bradley Beal won’t be an option. Victor Oladipo or Aaron Gordon could be though.
The Warriors, as Elbert Sanders noted, need to refrain from any panic moves. Currently sitting at 20-20, Golden State needs to do something to get going and string together some wins. They should be able to do just that without any additional personnel.
But, to down some of the West’s best teams, they’ll need more. They’ve been blown out by the Lakers, Clippers, Nets, and Bucks more times than they’ve looked competent against them. The West is deep.
The Dallas Mavericks are in the No. 8 spot. Keeping pace with Luka Doncic is no easy task. The Mavs started slowly, but they are a team capable of surging. The Spurs are really the team Golden State needs to catch.
Golden State needs to hang with them and bring in more talent to build around Curry. THe Warriors could use a more consistent two and better frontcourt players. That said, expect this team to make some moves to fill those voids at the deadline.