The Ringer's Player Rankings shows why the Golden State Warriors may need to make a trade
The Golden State Warriors' reliance on Stephen Curry has been palpable so far this season, with the franchise struggling to a 10-11 record despite continued brilliance from the two-time MVP.
Curry is averaging 29.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists, shooting the ball at 47.5% from the floor and 42.9% from three-point range. Yet the Warriors have failed to find the necessary support for the 35-year-old, with a number of Curry's teammates struggling individually.
The Ringer's NBA Player Rankings show the imbalanced nature of the Golden State Warriors' roster and why they may need to make a trade
Such is Curry's maintained excellence that he's ranked as the second-best player in the league, according to The Ringer's most recent recent NBA Player Rankings. He's only behind Denver Nuggets' superstar Nikola Jokic, with the pair having combined for the last two Finals MVPs.
The Ringer's summary for Curry is spot on -- "An absolute magician still capable of pulling off minor miracles to buoy an aging dynasty." That's part of the issue though, the Warriors don't want to be relying upon 'minor miracles'.
Steph with the Home Alone scream again 😂 pic.twitter.com/yKPJH4UVAb
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 2, 2023
Draymond Green is the next ranked Warrior at 47th in the Ringer's top 100. The former Defensive Player of the Year has been good this season, even if that's been mixed with injury and a needless five-game suspension.
It drops off further from there, with the trio of Klay Thompson, Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins filling positions 78,79 and 80. Despite Curry's superstardom, most would evaluate that teams need at least two top 30 players in the league to win a championship.
Jokic has that with Jamal Murray (19th). Joel Embiid has that with Tyrese Maxey (27th). Giannis Antetekounmpo has that with Damian Lillard (16th). Luka Doncic nearly has that with Kyrie Irving (34th). You get the point.
Curry is the only one in the top 16 whose team wouldn't make the playoffs if the regular season ended today. That's an indictment on the franchise and his teammates that have underperformed so far this season.
Perhaps Golden State can make noise if Thompson, Paul and Wiggins re-emerge as top 60 players in the league. Even then, a trade for a top 30 player may be the only way they're capable of winning a championship.