The Golden State Warriors just made a major splash, trading Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, a protected first-round pick in 2030, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul.
Paul had just been traded to the Wizards by way of the Bradley Beal trade but will now be rerouted to the Warriors before the deal with the Phoenix Suns is even completed.
Golden State’s financial situation looks a bit less bleak now, but they will have some very interesting rotational questions to ask themselves heading into next year.
Golden State Warriors depth chart after Chris Paul trade
First and foremost, what will Golden State’s depth chart look like? In all likelihood, probably something like this:
- PG: Stephen Curry, Chris Paul
- SG: Klay Thompson, Gary Payton II
- SF: Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- PF: Jonathan Kuminga
- C: Kevon Looney
Obviously, there are some big asterisks that need to be included in that chart, the biggest of which being Draymond Green, who just recently declined his player option and will be an unrestricted free agent.
If the Warriors bring him back, he would obviously slide in as the starting power forward. Plus, rumblings of a potential Jonathan Kuminga trade could also lead to his exclusion from the chart.
Donte DiVincenzo has a player option, but he is almost certainly going to decline that in favor of testing his value on the open market. Golden State will likely be priced out of bringing him back.
As for Paul, his place in the rotation could go one of two ways. If Green leaves Golden State, the Warriors could slide him in at the one, bumping Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins up a position each.
However, if Green stays, it seems unlikely that Paul would start, which would be a major change for the star point guard. Paul has never come off the bench in any NBA game he’s played in. He’s appeared in 1,214 games and started every single one.
Again, that just means the Warriors will have some tough choices to make.
Golden State Warriors draft picks situation after Chris Paul trade
As far as the Warriors’ draft pick situation goes, they are still in a good spot. They own all of their first-rounders outside of 2030, which was included in the Paul deal, and 2024.
Their 2024 first is owed to the Memphis Grizzlies via the Andre Iguodala trade in 2019 but is top-four protected in 2024, top-one protected in 2025, and unprotected in 2026. Based on Golden State’s talent, however, it will likely convey next year.
That being said, Golden State only has control over two of their future second-rounders – 2029 and 2030. They do, however, own a few seconds from other teams, including one in 2025, two in 2026, and one in 2028.
Trading Poole allows the Warriors to clear their books, at least a bit, and add a win-now player in Paul, who should help them push for another title next season.