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Grade the Trade: Golden State Warriors sacrifice the future for win-now role player in mock deal

By Peter O'Keefe

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 01: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors competes while Kyle Anderson #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on February 01, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-114 in overtime. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 01: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors competes while Kyle Anderson #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on February 01, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-114 in overtime. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Anderson of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors go for a loose ball in the first half at Chase Center on March 26, 2023. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kyle Anderson of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors go for a loose ball in the first half at Chase Center on March 26, 2023. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Warriors move explosive youngster and recent first-round pick for versatile forward

Bleacher Report’s proposed deal sees Golden State reconvene with a rival they’ve had recent trade history with. Most Warrior fans will vividly recall the heist former GM Bob Myers pulled off in 2020 when he essentially flipped D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and the pick that became Jonathan Kuminga.

Both teams are in completely different situations right now, each harboring ambitions of playoff success this season. Let’s have a look at how the trade would work:

Anderson has developed into one of the best swiss army knives in the league, equally adept at making an impact both in a starting role or off the bench. In his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022-23, the 30-year-old averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists on over 50% shooting from the floor and 40% from three-point range.

"“Few players around the league seem like more of a hand-in-glove fit with the Warriors than point forward Kyle Anderson. At 6’9″, he can play some small-ball 5… He’s a playmaker whose pass-first mentality makes sense in Golden State’s read-and-react offense. And he’s a gritty defender who can take on a wide variety of assignments on that end”, Bailey wrote."

Anderson would give Golden State not only a reliable backup to Draymond Green, but one that can play in a similar manner given his versatility. He’s someone that could also be a part of closing groups alongside Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. But would mortgaging a big part of the future be worth it from a Warrior perspective?

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