The Golden State Warriors made one pivotal trade in the final hours before Thursday’s deadline, moving former number two overall pick James Wiseman in a deal that eventually landed them a reunion with Gary Payton II.
It was a frantic final hour after it had been confirmed that Wiseman was being dealt to the Detroit Pistons. The anticipated return was Saddiq Bey, then it was confirmed five second-round picks were the package along with Atlanta’s Kevin Knox. In the hysteria of it all, the Warriors were heavily linked with Toronto Raptors’ forward OG Anunoby.
Bob Myers and the front office’s decision to balk at the Toronto Raptors’ demands for OG Anunoby was the right move for the Golden State Warriors.
Payton may have actually eventuated as Golden State’s backup plan, with the 25-year-old Anunoby appearing as their initial target. However, talks broke down as Raptors’ general manager Masai Ujiri set a price the Warriors weren’t willing to meet, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s C.J. Holmes.
The Warriors made a hard push for Raptors forward OG Anunoby at the trade deadline. However, I'm told Masai Ujiri's asking price was too high. Wanted Jonathan Kuminga, others, plus picks.
— C.J. Holmes 🚀 (@CjHolmes22) February 9, 2023
Giving up Kuminga would have brought a smell of desperation given the moves made by fellow Western Conference rivals, led by the Phoenix Suns’ acquisition of Kevin Durant. While Anunoby would have provided a clear upgrade to Steve Kerr’s rotation, he could have brought his own issues further down the track.
From a playing standpoint, it had been reported that Anunoby was after a bigger role in an offensive system. He certainly wouldn’t have got that in The Bay playing alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole.
That would have undoubtedly played a role in what’s expected to be a free agency decision at the end of next season. He has a $19.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season, though given the value placed on his three-and-D ability, you’d expect him to command upwards of $25 million per season.
In Kuminga, Golden State have someone who they hope can develop into an Anunoby-level player within 18 months. Once more, he’s on a rookie contract — less than $15 million combined — over the next two seasons after this.
Trading both Wiseman and Kuminga would have been a derailment of the Warriors’ future plans. While it could have proved a good thing, Anunoby wasn’t and isn’t the player to go ‘all in’ for. If the price was all the young pieces plus future picks, then Golden State are better off with the straight swap of Wiseman for Payton.