3 high-profile Golden State Warriors preseason trade targets

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series at Capital One Arena on May 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 29: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series at Capital One Arena on May 29, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors preseason trade target: Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the New Orleans Pelicans. Given the spacing that he can provide, he should give an almost instant boost to the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson-centric offense.

Williamson and Brandon Ingram will both be better off with Big Val on the court. However, so would the Warriors.

Over the last several seasons, the Warriors have created a death lineup, using Andre Iguodala or Juan Toscano-Anderson to space the floor with all five players. They haven’t had a shooting center since DeMarcus Cousins and even then Cousins was a liability defensively.

Valanciunas isn’t the star the fans would want, but he’d be a solid addition. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game last season, both the highest of his career. He also shot 36 percent from deep, knocking down .3 triples per game.

So, he’s clearly not a volume three-point shooter, but when he squares up, he can knock them down at a quality rate. That type of production is something the Warriors frontcourt could certainly use.

This could be a good mid-season trade as well if the Pelicans start to slip in the rankings.