While the Warriors have found better rhythm from their reserves of late, it still feels like a potential-for-production trade is coming at some point. It also seems certain that James Wiseman, the No. 2 pick of the 2020 draft, remains the key for unlocking that kind of deal.
Golden State shouldn't hesitate about parting with significant assets—both Wiseman and Moses Moody absolutely qualify as recent lottery picks—for the chance to improve its championship odds. Not with Stephen Curry, a once-in-a-generation talent, playing some of the best ball of his career.
The Warriors can be greedy on the trade market. They can also be creative, like, say, sending out Wiseman for a package built around a wing—not a replacement big. The best version of Gary Harris is a three-point-splashing, lockdown-defending support player who just might sneak his way into Golden State's closing group. It's possible that no realistically obtainable center—Myles Turner and Jakob Poeltl included—would grab a spot in that lineup.
Harris, who turned 28 in September, is too old to fit Orlando's timeline. He's also infinitely more interesting for win-now shoppers after refinding his three-point stroke. It strangely went on a two-year hiatus, but he luckily recaptured it before last season and has converted 38.8 percent of his long-range looks ever since.
Harris would be the reason the Warriors do this deal, but Moritz Wagner can be more than a throw-in. He usually makes his 6'11", 245-pound presence felt around the rim, but he's comfortable stepping away from it and letting it fly from three. He's also a clever enough passer to help grease the gears of this attack.
For the Magic, meanwhile, this is all about value.
They might not be hurting for centers, but turning a non-star like Harris and back-end rotation player like Wagner into two recent lottery picks and two second-rounders is just smart business. Wiseman has all of the physical tools to be special; he just needs the kind of developmental minutes the championship-chasing Warriors can't offer. Moody wouldn't have trouble cracking Orlando's wing rotation and could emerge as a long-term starter if his perimeter shooting perks up.