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Major issues with ESPN’s proposed Golden State Warriors trade

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors slam dunks over Jalen McDaniels #6 of the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Chase Center on December 27, 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 - DECEMBER 27: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors slam dunks over Jalen McDaniels #6 of the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Chase Center on December 27, 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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NBA trade discussion is heating up as we approach the February 9 trade deadline, with the Golden State Warriors’ disappointing season only intensifying speculation around whether the front office will make a move.

The Warriors’ two-timeline plan has gone awry this season — Jonathan Kuminga is the only young lottery pick to have made a significant and consistent contribution to Steve Kerr’s rotation.

One proposed deal doesn’t necessarily fit the criteria of what the Golden State Warriors will be looking to achieve if they do make a trade.

In his overview of Golden State’s situation ahead of the deadline, ESPN’s Bobby Marks has proposed a two-for-three trade that he’d like to see Bob Myers make. Here is the outline of the deal.

The first issue from an on-court perspective — the Warriors are trading two youngsters on rookie contracts for…two youngsters on rookie contracts. If Wiseman and Moody can’t fit into the Golden State system, then are we sure Washington and McDaniels will? That leaves Plumless who, although might be a more reliable big man option, will play maybe ten minutes at best in a playoff rotation.

If the Warriors are going to trade two youngsters they’ve invested heavily in, then surely it has to be for a sure fire major upgrade. It won’t, or at least shouldn’t be, for players that present a similar risk or are minimal upgrades at best.

The second major issue is the fact that all three Hornets players are free agents in the offseason, albeit Washington and McDaniels will be restricted. Let’s say McDaniels and Washington get around $10 million each per season (which is conservative), and Plumlee gets $5 million — That’s about $10 million more than Wiseman and Moody are projected to make next season.

Owner Joe Lacob isn’t going to want to go further into the luxury tax, and therefore Golden State would probably only retain one of the trio at best. That would leave the other two as rentals for the remainder of the season — does that sound worth it for Wiseman and Moody?

Next. Ranking the Golden State Warriors’ youngsters by trade value. dark

Most outsiders may look at that deal and thinks it’s a realistic one — that’s the issue with most deals. The Warriors still value their youngsters higher than they’re perceived in league circles, making a deal unlikely before the deadline.

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