Will Golden State Warriors feel the heat after Pacific rivals go nuclear?

The Golden State Warriors face the threat of being left behind in a Western Conference arms race that’s blown up in a major way over the last 18 hours. With the clock quickly ticking down to the trade deadline, the reigning champions’ current inaction was made more frustrating by another close road loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.

While there’s growing sentiment Golden State will move one or multiple of their young players before the deadline, nothing is yet to materialize as of yet. Does general manager Bob Myers and the Warrior front office feel extra pressure as a result of recent movement around the league?

The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers have made seismic shifts in the Pacific division, putting the Golden State Warriors in the spotlight over the next few hours.

The two major trades have included four former Warriors, headlined by the shocking blockbuster deal that’s sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. The two-time Finals MVP’s future was put under the microscope after Kyrie Irving’s departure from Brooklyn, but most expected any potential deal would wait until the offseason.

Instead, Phoenix’s new ownership has gone all in, giving up forwards Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder, along with four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap. The Suns also get TJ Warren back in addition to Durant.

Earlier on, the Los Angeles Lakers made a savvy move by acquiring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt for Russell Westbrook and a top four protected first-round pick in 2027. It’s a homecoming for Russell who was drafted number two overall by the Lakers in 2015, with the 26-year-old having played 33 games for the Warriors in the 2019-20 season.

In the complicated three-team, eight-player deal, the Minnesota Timberwolves get Mike Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Utah, while the Jazz get Westbrook and former Warriors Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones. Westbrook is likely to be bought out and will become a free agent.

With many still shocked by the Durant news, all eyes now turn to the final few hours and what more surprises may lay in store. Given the moves made by their division rivals, and the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Curry’s injury, Golden State could be left floundering amid a re-tooled West.

Will the Warriors feel greater urgency to make a move over the coming hours? Possibly. Part of the thought process behind staying put was because of the average, non-threatening state of the conference.

That’s simply no longer the case, with the quartet of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton and Durant now puting Phoenix into championship favoritism according to many. However, although the goalposts have changed, it’s also important that Golden State don’t force a trade that is deemed ‘well overs’ and proves ultimately irresponsible.