Over the past decade, with the splash brothers in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors have ushered a new era of basketball emphasizing ball movement and three-point shooting.
But could they revolutionize the NBA again with another new style?
The Golden State Warriors have the assets to make an offseason blockbuster trade, potentially revolutionizing the NBA yet again.
After Stephen A. Smith put the possibility at the forefront of fans’ minds on ESPN First Take , social media has lit up with the discussion surrounding a possible Ben Simmons trade to the Warriors.
Stephen A. Smith: “I believe the Golden State Warriors are going to make a push for Ben Simmons … I’m not saying it’s gonna happen. But calls already have been made. Things are percolating.” pic.twitter.com/niLOPvkfjt
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) June 25, 2021
Warriors fans were quick to voice their displeasure over any potential deal, one that would almost certainly involve the rejuvenated Andrew Wiggins.
After Simmons’ horror ending to the playoff series against Atlanta, many Warriors fans would question if Wiggins for Simmons would be worth it straight up, let alone adding their current picks and/or James Wiseman.
But let’s say a deal was made, how would the Warriors look?
The Warriors would be extremely unlikely to give up Draymond Green, meaning the fit with both he and Simmons in the line-up would be… well interesting at best.
You simply couldn’t put Simmons, Green and one of Kevon Looney and James Wiseman on the floor at the same time. The spacing would be by far a league worst and more of a throwback to the game of thirty years ago.
Assuming Wiggins is involved in the trade, the Warriors starting lineup would have to look like this —
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Two-way elite three-point shooter (maybe Kent Bazmore), Ben Simmons, Draymond Green
We know Draymond Green has played center for the Warriors in crucial times, but if this move was made, you’d have to ask him or Simmons to be the starting center for this team. You’d then split their minutes to accommodate for Wiseman and/or Looney off the bench.
If Simmons and Green both played around 32 minutes a night, you’d see at least 16 minutes of them playing together and substantially more come playoff time.
It would be revolutionary just to concede that you’re starting lineup will not include a recognized center. Could it work? Absolutely, but it hinges on who Wiggins’ replacement would be at small forward.
The Warriors could re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr with the promise of a starting role, however, he didn’t shoot the ball well enough this season for that to be entirely viable next to Simmons and Green. Can they find someone in the draft if they were to keep one of the lottery picks?
Or can they find someone on the cheap in free agency?
Warriors fans may be hoping that the Simmons reports don’t materialize, but we should admit that a potential deal would make Golden State’s starting lineup super fascinating going into next season.