ESPN Analyst reveals what the Golden State Warriors need at the Trade Deadline

The Golden State Warriors haven’t quite had the start to the season we thought the defending champions would, but that doesn’t mean they are completely out of it. The team is just now getting fully healthy, which is scary for the rest of the league even despite after a surprising loss to a depleted Phoenix Suns team.

Although they’re sitting one game below .500 at 20-21, the reigning champions are still labeled as a championship contender. In other words, they will be buyers at the trade deadline to make moves that will only help them repeat.

The Golden State Warriors need some help in their frontcourt according to ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton, and it seems the only way to do that would be via trade.

Golden State is in dire need of some depth in the front court. When healthy, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney have been great. Unfortunately, that’s not enough. It simply won’t cut it when you compare to the teams they will face come playoff time. Not to mention those two are playing a ton of minutes and could use a break or reduced gametime.

It seems we aren’t the only ones to notice this glaring issue either, as ESPN NBA analyst Kevin Pelton wrote about recently.

"“Warriors coach Steve Kerr recently lamented the minutes he’s had to play frontcourt starters Draymond Green and Kevon Looney because of their importance to his team. Green is averaging 31 minutes per game, up more than two from last season, while Looney’s 23 minutes per game would be a career-high.”“Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Lamb have stepped forward as solid reserves. Playing Lamb in the playoffs will require the Warriors to open a roster spot, as players on two-way contracts aren’t eligible. If Golden State doesn’t make a bigger move, trading JaMychal Green would allow the Warriors to promote Lamb to a full NBA contract.”"

Pelton’s opinion is a fairly common held one among the Warrior fanbase. Lamb has been great when he has stepped in, but his availability will run out. On a two-way contract, the 24-year-old can play up to 50 games before the Warriors will be forced to make a decision.

James Wiseman has missed the last five games due to an ankle injury he suffered in December, and frankly, his availability isn’t all that reliable. JaMychal Green has missed the last 10 games for various reasons, and while not a traditional big man per se, Jonathan Kuminga has missed the last four games.

There really isn’t anyone they can go and sign in the free agent market to help with this issue, so it would appear they will need to be active at or before the February 9 trade deadline. If they were going to go this route, the Warriors should look players who could theoretically anchor down the paint and rebound at a solid rate.

Some names that stand out include the likes of Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors or the Washington Wizards’ Daniel Gafford. Both seem to be pretty affordable considering the minutes their teams are giving them, and we have seen them produce in areas the Warriors need.

Golden State can easily get back in the race for a top seed in the West, but it won’t be easy. Their stars need help from a supporting cast, especially when it comes to the frontcourt. There’s also a possibility we see nothing happen before the deadline, and that as a result the team rides it out with who they have. That’s not necessarily the recommended course of action though.