Ranking the Golden State Warriors’ youngsters by trade value
If the Golden State Warriors want to do anything of note by the February 9 trade deadline, then chances are that they’ll need to move one of their talented young players.
The two-timeline plan has been a bone of contention among fans and NBA circles, with the reigning champions struggling to a 23-24 record through 47 games.
The Golden State Warriors have a plethora of talented young players, but how do they actually rank among each other as trade assets?
This discussion was prompted by Spotrac’s Keith Smith who claimed on Twitter that Golden State’s most recent first-round pick, Patrick Baldwin Jr., was the best of the Warriors’ youngsters aside from Jonathan Kuminga.
This feels like a crazy take I have: Patrick Baldwin is the best young Warrior that isn't Jonathan Kuminga.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 21, 2023
Is that a crazy take?
Now, Baldwin may not be the second-best young Warrior right now, but you could make the argument he has the second-highest trade value. Let’s rank the Golden State youngsters by that measurement — the list excludes Jordan Poole whose poison-pill contract makes it practically impossible to be traded, as well as rookie guard Ryan Rollins who clearly has the least value.
1. Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga may have been at the top of this list during the offseason, but it would have at least been a discussion. The second-year forward has separated himself from his fellow young players, exploding into an integral part of the Warriors’ current and future plans.
It seems as if his play hasn’t resonated all around the league just yet though, with a recent report suggesting the San Antonio Spurs aren’t interested in Kuminga. That’s probably a good thing given the Warrior fanbase might implode if the 20-year-old was traded in a deal for Jakob Poeltl, or any other Spur for that matter. Put simply, Kuminga isn’t getting traded unless it’s part of a bigger package for an absolute top-tier superstar.
The Warriors need Jonathan Kuminga's rim pressure. They rank 29th in paint points. Kuminga, in his second game back, had 18 paint points yesterday. All nine of his makes were at the rim -- dives, iso spins, transition, post ups vs Kyrie, etc. Here are all nine. pic.twitter.com/o6Gsusz9ex
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 23, 2023
2. James Wiseman
Okay, Wiseman’s limited play on the floor hasn’t exactly boosted his value around the league — in fact, it’s done quite the opposite. However, there are extenuating circumstances, namely injuries and his unusual place on a championship-contending team.
The fact Wiseman’s owed over $12 million next season doesn’t help either, but let’s not forget that this is a number two overall pick — he’s a talented athletic big who’s yet to really get a proper run at it.
3. Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Baldwin might be the only non-lottery pick of this quartet, but he’s quickly making a name for himself in limited minutes this season. He has one identifiable elite skill — his three-point shooting. Given the value that’s placed on that, particularly for a guy that stands at 6’9″, Baldwin has certainly increased his value from a player that was taken with the 28th pick in last year’s draft.
4. Moses Moody
It’s been quite the downturn for Moses Moody in his second season — after playing meaningful minutes in the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, he’s now largely out of Steve Kerr’s rotation.
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If we can pinpoint that Baldwin has a elite skill in his shooting, then what does Moody do at a high-level? His prototype as a three-and-D wing is a valuable commodity, but he’s not doing either aspect at an above average level right now. Baldwin may have gone past Moody in terms of potential, and as such may hold greater value around the league.