7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline

4. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

One of the most outlandish options for the Warriors to pursue would be to move Klay Thompson for a center. For the majority of their dynastic run, the Warriors have invested scant resources at center, trusting in Draymond Green to slide to the five when needed. Now, with Kevon Looney also under contract, their front line seems set.

What the Warriors lack, however, is a big man who can stretch a defense vertically. Perhaps Jonathan Kuminga can get there, but he’s not a true center; James Wiseman was supposed to become that but couldn’t put his physical gifts together. JaVale McGee thrived in that role once upon a time.

Adding a player like Jarrett Allen would put strain on the Warriors’ shooters, but at the same time, he would introduce a lob threat to feast on the perimeter threat of Stephen Curry’s shooting in the pick-and-roll. On defense, he is one of the league’s best rim protectors with underrated mobility in space.

Would trading Klay sacrifice the very shooting that would allow a player like Allen to thrive? Probably so, but if Klay’s lack of mobility on defense is equally an issue then keeping him on his massive contract isn’t an ideal choice either, and Allen wouldn’t be the most expensive player on the market. What’s more, matching Thompson’s salary would require the Cavaliers to send back at least one other player; someone like Caris LeVert or Max Strus would help the rotation out as well.