The Golden State Warriors’ shocking trade for Chris Paul (subscription required) could just be the beginning. The goal was to get Jordan Poole’s contract off their books and stay in title contention. Both were accomplished, but finding a way to fit CP3 into their system could be messy.
Paul is not a seamless addition. Golden State has an all-time great point guard that is still in his prime. Do they go small in the backcourt and start CP3 next to Stephen Curry? If not, is Paul willing to accept a bench role? The future Hall of Famer is not used to the Dubs’ motion offense and there could be issues in working things out.
The Warriors may have taken Chris Paul to flip him just like they did with D’Angelo Russell in 2019. CP3 has a non-guaranteed year left on his contract, and his time with Golden State could be brief. The Dubs may move on before February’s trade deadline, and plenty of talent will be available.
Players the Golden State Warriors might replace Chris Paul with by the trade deadline
5. Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota is facing a make-or-break season. They did not trade a king’s ransom for Rudy Gobert to be bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Anthony Edwards is ascending, but does their frontcourt pairing work? KAT only played 29 games last season because of injury. The Timberwolves could still be sorting things out, but the time to decide is now.
If they get off to a slow start, expect Tim Connelly and the front office to make changes. The easiest move would be trading Towns. The 6’11 big man is just starting a five-year $158.2 million extension, which creates a tough decision for the Dubs.
KAT is an elite shooter and scorer that provides a ton of offense. He is no stranger to flying around screens and drilling threes, but are the Warriors willing to take on his long-term money? It would keep them in the repeater tax and over the second tax apron for the foreseeable future. Having the 27-year-old big man improves Golden State’s title odds. Is that what management wants or is it finally time to save money?
Karl-Anthony Towns is not the perfect fit for the Golden State Warriors, but he won’t be the only player available that is earning significant money.
4. Tobias Harris
The 76ers are in a state of flux because of James Harden’s trade request. Will president of basketball operations Daryl Morey grant the ten-time All-Star’s wish? All signs point to Philadelphia getting a less-than-stellar package in return, so what does that mean for the state of their roster?
The Sixers could be looking for a point guard to pair with Joel Embiid as Golden State attempts to add size. Tobias Harris is set to make $39.2 million in the final year of his contract, which is $9.2 million more than CP3.
This could interest the Dubs because it is an expiring deal. They would have the option to renegotiate at a lower number or let Harris walk in free agency. The 31-year-old is not getting another max contract, but how much less will he take?
In his four and a half years in Philadelphia, Harris averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 33.8 minutes per game. Those are not All-Star numbers, but they are impactful as a third or fourth option. The 6’8 forward can defend multiple positions and scores efficiently. He makes his team better and would have zero issues fitting in with the Golden State Warriors if things with Chris Paul are not working.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic
The Warriors’ plans beyond the season will determine their path at the trade deadline. Are they looking at the 2023-24 season as their version of The Last Dance? Golden State could scale back salary to duck the repeater tax, but that likely crushes their title chances. In this scenario, they will be searching for players on one-year deals that improve their championship odds immediately.
The Dubs’ biggest hole is on the wing. They love playing small in the playoffs, but need another forward to do it. Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are locked into that group, but who is their fifth? If Chris Paul cannot fill that role, the Warriors will look to trade him for someone that does.
Bogdanovic is set to make $20 million next season and has just $2 million guaranteed for the 2024-25 campaign. The 6’7 veteran forward is a career 39.4 percent 3-point shooter that has twice averaged over 20 points per game in the last four years. His size and athletic ability allows him to guard multiple positions, and Bogdanovic could be the perfect fit in the Bay Area.
The Detroit Pistons have a talented young roster, but trades are coming. They have to clear their frontcourt logjam and start fitting the pieces together. That could put the 34-year-old wing on the block, and the Golden State Warriors will have interest if things are not going well with CP3.
2. Paul George
Every team is watching the LA Clippers closely. Kawhi Leonard and George have one year plus a player option remaining on their contract. Both players are extension eligible, but the missed games have been a problem in Los Angeles. Do the Clippers sign them long-term, despite the headaches of the last four years? If not, what do the two superstars do?
LA would be smart to explore the trade market for either player if they do not plan on re-signing them. Both are making $45.6 million this season, so matching salaries will not be easy, especially for Golden State. They would have to attach multiple players to Chris Paul to get to that number.
The Dubs would love another wing to complete their playoff lineup, and PG13 is one of the game’s best when healthy. He is averaging just 47.2 contests per season since joining the Clippers in 2019, but his 23.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals show he is still elite. Keeping him healthy, especially in the postseason, is the key.
The Golden State Warriors do not have their 2024 or 2030 first-round picks, but they can still move 2026 and 2028 plus multiple swaps. Is that enough to get into the Paul George sweepstakes? Do the Dubs try to get involved in a blockbuster deal?
1. Pascal Siakam
Siakam is entering the final year of his contract, and fans have seen more trade rumors (subscription required) than talk about an extension. The Raptors cannot afford to let him walk in free agency like Fred VanVleet did. They must extend or trade him before February’s deadline.
Siakam wants to stay in Toronto, which could push the price down. If things are not working with Chris Paul, the Dubs could be willing to offer two first-round picks and a couple of seconds and swaps to get Siakam from the Raptors. It would be a disappointing return for Masai Ujiri, but that may be all the market allows for a four-month rental.
Siakam and Draymond Green could form a dominant big-man duo in the postseason. Teams would struggle to score, and the Dubs would have a ton of offense with Siakam attacking gaps created by the Splash Brothers. The 6’9 forward is used to playing heavy minutes and is one of the best passing big men. All of that could fit nicely in the Bay Area.
The Golden State Warriors want to win another championship. It is why they traded for Chris Paul, and the franchise will look to flip him at the deadline if the future Hall of Famer is not fitting in. Fans should watch the transition and who is available on the trade market. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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