In the end, it was an inconsistent title defense from the Golden State Warriors this season. At times, they looked like a team that would have a good chance to repeat as champs. Especially in a wide-open Western Conference. But their inconsistency ultimately got the best of them as they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
With eyes now on the offseason, there are several big questions the team will have to answer about their future. But there is no bigger than the task of trying to improve the roster without completely retooling it.
The good news is that there are avenues for the Warriors to make a bold move or two via trade this offseason.
Heading into the summer, we rank the Golden State Warriors’ top trade assets they currently have available to them.
9. Gary Payton II
Looking at the stat sheet, Gary Payton II may not be a player that sticks out. However, if you would ask the Warriors just how valuable he is to the team, it would be quite easy to understand that he does carry significant value.
Payton has carved out a role in the NBA as an effective point-of-attack defender. He may only be 6-foot-2, but he very much embodies the defensive intensity of his father. Payton is also on an affordable deal (he’s due roughly $18 million over the next two seasons). He’s an ideal role player that every team needs to have to be successful and seems to always come up big when the Warriors need him most.
In the event that the Warriors were looking to make a trade during the offseason, Payton could be added to a deal as a sweetener. He may never be the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal, but his trade value is better than most would expect.