The Warriors’ dilemma in the NBA: buy, sell or do nothing

The Warriors' dilemma in the NBA: buy, sell or do nothing

The Warriors, the franchise that has dominated the NBA in recent times, must make key decisions for the future.


The Golden State Warriors They are immersed in a slide that has taken them from the first place in the Western Conference in the season premiere, to the basement of the Pacific Divisionleaving aside a start that suggested that they would once again be contenders for the crown in the NBA, despite the departure of Klay thompson.

The team of Steve Kerr He had a 12-3 start, but since then he has a 9-18 record, which has complicated his aspirations, therefore, with the change limit in the Association set for next February 6, within the franchise it will be time to debate whether to continue on the same course, make one last attempt at the championship with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green or begin reconstruction.

A strange crossroads for a team that three years ago won the title by beating the Boston Celticswhich in 2022-23 fell in the Conference semifinals against Los Angeles Lakersbut did not even qualify last year, affected by Green’s constant absences due to indiscipline and because his main stars were over 33 years old.

Last July, Thompson left for Dallas and then doubts began about whether an era that has included four rings since 2015 had ended, to be the most dominant organization in the League, but that 12-3 left the doubts behind, until came the impact with reality.

Kerr has used 24 different starting lineups in 42 games, which has prevented chemistry on the court and if the Warriors decide to go one way or another, there will be even more variations in a squad that cannot find a rhythm, despite the constant movements in the painting.

Arguments to buy

With the transaction date just around the corner, Curry and Green raised their voices that the institution should not mortgage the future just to get some attractive piece that will help them win immediately, a message destined for the offices which shows that the figures are not desperate to return to the elite.

The Warriors have a couple of promising youngsters, with 21-year-old Brandin Podziemski and 22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga, who are the foundation on which they could build when Steph and Draymond leave, but there are also Moses Moody and Gui Santos, 22 each. one, that they could leave.

Golden State has first-round draft picks from 2025 to 2029, although it does not have second-round picks in 2025 or 2027 due to previous transactions, so if general manager Mike Dunleavy decides to bet, he would have some cards at his disposal.

The problem would be who would arrive, because the market does not have great offers and as the referents already said, Golden State should not do something “desperate” and the majority of the candidates to reinforce are role players, as they already confirmed in the Bay at the get to Dennis Schroder in December.

The German came from Brooklyn Nets by Reece Beekman and the injured De’Anthony Melton, but since he debuted on December 19 in the loss to Memphis, the team has a 7-10 record, and personally averages eight points less than what he did in Brooklyn, two fewer assists and he makes just one triple each night, one of the reasons to look for him.

A simple addition to the starting quintet would not solve the problems, but there are two pieces in the picture that would modify the dynamic and give a great leap in quality: LeBron Jameswho shone at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Curry as a mover and Kerr on the bench or Jimmy Butlerwho seeks to force his departure from Miami.

The problem is if LeBron believes he is closer to winning in the Bay Area than in LA, far from his son, from Anthony Davis and at 40 years old, plus the Lakers would demand a big price for him, the same as the Heat, but the only attractive chip that Golden State has at its disposal is Andrew Wiggins29 years old and with a contract until 2026-27, when he has an exit option.

If the franchise is not willing to sacrifice the future for immediate success, then there will be other teams with more seductive packages, at least in the search for Butler, because in the case of LeBron they would have to convince him to leave aside a project in which he is involved even with the coach.

Outside of those options there are a couple of candidates to replace a triple player of Thompson’s level in Tyler Herro (he converts four per game), but it would be difficult for Miami to let him go if Butler leaves, or in Zach LaVine (3.2), with some Chicago Bulls They are in the play-in zone and could think about accepting Wiggins and some draft picks, although they gave him a $215 million contract in 2022.

Arguments to sell

In California they could also opt for the opposite path, taking this recent debacle as a signal to begin the rebuild, keeping Podziemski and Kuminga, but making the rest of the squad available, including the veterans.

The Warriors also don’t have too many interesting players for the rest of the League, because a departure for Steph seems unlikely and Green is already 34, so Wiggins would be in the conversation again, along with complements like Buddy Hield, Gary Payton, Kevon Looney, Lindy Waters or Trayce Jackson-Davis.

However, they could get young players to adapt to Kerr’s system and learn under Curry’s tutelage, as well as college selections to complement Podziemski and Kuminga, so that it won’t be long before they return to the championship fight.

But it would be throwing this campaign overboard, in which, despite the resounding fall, they have the same record as the Phoenix Sunswho occupy the last play-in place in the West and the Dubs can be a threat in the playoffs with the experience of Curry, Green and Kerr, in contrast to the youth of the Thunder, Rockets or Grizzlies, who lead the Conference.

However, beginning the reconstruction with the pretext of Thompson’s departure and the age of his references, can open the door to greater economic capacity in the summer, then attract a free agent who will be the cornerstone, and still retain to one of the stars of the League and two young people with great potential.

The only way out that does not seem possible for the Warriors is to stay as they are because it is clear that this roster does not have the level of previous versions and they would remain in the mediocrity of the West, without clear championship aspirations, but also without a new beginning .

Dunleavy and Kerr have to make a key decision in the coming days, one that will not only decide the immediate future of the franchise, but also the following years, to start a new stage or to add a figure to cover the gap left by Klay and prolong GS’ dominance in the NBA.

The clock has already started ticking, not only for them, but for the rest of the Association and they cannot sit idly by, while some try to improve their squads for the playoffs and others make pieces available to start thinking about the future. next summer.