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3 James Wiseman-Jonathan Kuminga trades the Golden State Warriors may consider

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Jonathan Kuminga #00 after Moody scored and was fouled on the shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Jonathan Kuminga #00 after Moody scored and was fouled on the shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 11, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors’ slow start to the season has continued, with the panic meter increasing after every loss. The franchise’s two-timeline plan appears a disaster at this stage as Stephen Curry’s herculean efforts frequently go in vain.

Head coach Steve Kerr’s unwillingness to utilize the team’s three recent lottery picks has been a damning reflection on the Warriors’ current position. Offseason moves were underpinned by the idea they’d be ready to play a meaningful role, yet Golden State are now left with the worst bench unit in the league.

The Golden State Warriors may be forced into a franchise-altering involving young recent lottery picks James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga.

The Warriors used the second and seventh overall picks to select James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga in consecutive drafts. While the franchise still holds hope they can develop into All-Star calibre players, they’re also far away from being competent playoff contributors.

Golden State are bereft of valuable rotation pieces, leaving Kerr with no other choice than to regularly shorten the rotation to nine players. Not only is that in itself unsustainable, but more importantly, it risks wasting a season of Curry’s prime level.

James Wiseman is currently out of the Golden State Warriors rotation. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
James Wiseman is currently out of the Golden State Warriors rotation. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

There’s three issues with the Warriors dealing Wiseman and/or Kuminga — firstly, they make a combined $15.3 million, severely inhibiting the quality of player Golden State could receive in return. Secondly, the Warriors have little bargaining power at the trade table — their value is perhaps at the lowest point of their respective careers. Thirdly, the league is in a very competitive situation early in this season, and right now, there’s not a whole lot of rebuilding teams looking to trade experienced talent for young, unproven prospects.

It’s perhaps that final aspect, and the Warriors general patience and continuity as a franchise, that makes a trade unlikely in the short-term. It’s also highly unlikely that they trade both young players, with the franchise likely to evaluate what they could get in return for Wiseman’s $9.6 million salary. However, if the Warriors woes do continue, let’s take a look at what type of package they could get for both players.

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