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3 Teams the Golden State Warriors could trade with if they land the number one pick

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Chase Center on February 13, 2023 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Chase Center on February 13, 2023 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors’ guard Jordan Poole trying to go by Orlando Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ guard Jordan Poole trying to go by Orlando Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic hold the sixth best odds of winning the lottery, with their 34-48 record curating a 9% chance at Wembanyama and the number one pick. From a long-term perspective, it may actually be the scariest proposition given the glut of young talent the Magic already possess.

Orlando landed the number one pick last year, and although there wasn’t the same consensus as this year, their decision to select Paolo Banchero appears to be the right one given he was the obvious winner of the Rookie of the Year award.

The year before in 2021, the Magic selected Franz Wagner, a versatile forward who the Warriors could have selected the pick before at seventh overall (they chose Jonathan Kuminga instead). Wagner and Banchero are already set to be a great frontcourt combination, but the addition of Wembanyama could set them up for a long-awaited championship, if not multiple, in the future.

While that frontcourt would be outrageous, it leaves no room for their current starting center in Wendell Carter Jr. Could Golden State get involved in a Carter trade if the Magic landed ‘Wemby’? There was talk of a trade involving him ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft – the Warriors held the number two overall pick at the time, and there were reports of a potential deal between them and the Chicago Bulls surrounding both teams’ first-round picks and Carter.

Coming off the best season of his career averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and shooting 35.6% from three-point range, there’ll be no shortage of suitors should Carter becoming available as a result of the draft lottery.

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