Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Trading Wiseman and/or Moody wouldn’t be fatal to Golden State Warriors’ two-timeline aim

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz handling the ball gets triple teamed by Jonathan Kuminga #00, Moses Moody #4 and James Wiseman during the third quarter at Chase Center on December 28, 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 28: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz handling the ball gets triple teamed by Jonathan Kuminga #00, Moses Moody #4 and James Wiseman during the third quarter at Chase Center on December 28, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With just days away until the NBA trade deadline, it remains unlikely that the Golden State Warriors will make a move to shake up their current roster.

Rightly or wrongly, ownership, and by extension the front office, appear determined to maintain a two-timeline roster that aims to ensure the Warriors’ dynasty continues far beyond the foreseeable future. The plan has come under heavy criticism given the reigning champions’ current 27-26 record, with many suggesting that by trying to do both, Golden State are doing neither.

Trading one or two of their young talented players shouldn’t be viewed as fatal to the Golden State Warriors’ two-timeline aim.

Golden State have six of their 14 contracted players still on their rookie deal. That’s a staggering number given they’re trying to repeat as NBA champions, with five of them aged 21 or below. Given the sheer quantity of young players on the roster, why does dealing one or even two of them have to be an automatic termination of the franchise’s two-timeline aim?

Is it simply because James Wiseman, the one most likely to be dealt if a trade were to happen, is also the one they’ve invested most in? This two-timeline plan doesn’t rest on him solely, and nor has it ever.

James Wiseman’s future with the Golden State Warriors will be made clearer in the coming days. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
James Wiseman’s future with the Golden State Warriors will be made clearer in the coming days. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Two of the six players are in the Warriors’ top eight rotation and have proven themselves as NBA players — Golden State have already locked Jordan Poole up to a significant extension, while second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga has been one of the rare shining points in an otherwise dull season.

Even just a duo of Poole and Kuminga is a nice young pairing to have going forward. In fact, the latter’s development should almost make it easier for the Warriors to relinquish one or both of their other recent lottery picks, Wiseman and Moses Moody, for more win-now assets. If Kuminga reaches his All-Star potential, then the final result of hitting on one of three is still a good result.

Beyond the quartet of Poole, Kuminga, Wiseman and Moody, you could also argue that Patrick Baldwin Jr. is well and truly part of the Warriors’ future planning. The 28th overall pick in last year’s draft clearly has skills that could translate into a long and prosperous NBA career. Golden State also have Ryan Rollins, though his path into a genuine NBA player is much more uncertain.

The Warriors also have two key ‘bridging’ pieces to what they’re trying to accomplish. It’s easy to forget that Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney are still just 27 and 26 respectively. If ownership and the front office is looking 5-6 years down the line, then that duo has to be factored in to their plans.

Next. How Irving’s request could change Golden State Warriors’ trade perspective. dark

This isn’t necessarily advocating for the franchise to trade one of their young players — the right deal obviously has to be available for them to consider it. However, lets not view any potential trade as waving the white flag on their future ambitions. That can only be said if a superstar deal comes along, one where Poole and Kuminga are also involved.

Home/Warriors News