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Golden State Warriors: Potential trade lands Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

By Tony Pesta

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Everyone is waiting for the Golden State Warriors to break the NBA again with a blockbuster trade. In one of FanSided’s latest NBA Mock Drafts, the Dubs complete a hypothetical deal for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

As part of Christopher Kline’s mock, the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a swap including James Wiseman and FIVE draft picks from the Dubs in exchange for SGA and the No. 18 pick in the upcoming draft. This is a big trade with numerous moving parts that we need to break down.

In a hypothetical mock draft, the Golden State Warriors send James Wiseman and picks to OKC for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

For starters, let’s understand why the Dubs would have interest in SGA. The 22-year-old guard averaged 23.7 points and 5.9 assists last season as a hyper-versatile perimeter player who can create his own shot and distribute the rock to his teammates.

Shai learned quite a bit from his brief time with Chris Paul and played at a borderline All-Star level last year. He has great size at 6’6″ and can do it all. At such a young age, SGA is set for years of future success in the NBA.

The Warriors would find it easy to slip SGA into their starting lineup alongside the Splash Brothers. His ability to pass and score the ball makes him a glue guy and his size allow the Warriors to run three-guard lineups without much trouble.

Now, giving up Wiseman and five total picks is where the price might get too steep for Golden State. As great as SGA is, the cost of losing a potential All-Star center and two lottery picks is quite the sacrifice for another guard.

The Warriors would not only be giving up talent but fit as well. At the end of the day, Wiseman is still a dream prospect at center for the Dubs. Giving up on that dream after just one failed rookie season would be an overreaction.

Most of all, losing this much draft capital would be too much to overcome. This deal includes both of the Warriors’ 2021 picks, an unprotected 2022 first round pick, a 2025 pick swap and a 2027 first round pick.

This deal is enticing but it is one the Warriors should decline. They are better suited to keeping Wiseman and using the picks for their own rebuild. Or, using their Godfather package for a player with more star power than Shai.

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