Many factors can be pointed out towards the Golden State's 2-7 record and fall to the 5th seed, but what might've opened the Pandora's Box for the Warriors was De'Anthony Melton suffering an ACL tear and Brandin Podziemski being forced to play his second-best, but unnatural position on double his usual minutes.
In his small sample of 6 games, De'Anthony Melton recorded a 105.5 pace for the Warriors, which would put them in the best in the league. This was obvious beyond the numbers for the team, as pace along with deadly three-point shooting was their projected threatening identity to start the season, most proven by their 140-104 and 127-86 wins against the (although two worst teams in the West) healthier Trail Blazers and Jazz, when the Warriors' deep rotation was still perceived as an asset with the amount of combinations they can play, many of which is significantly unlocked by the acquisition of Melton.
However, as the season has deepened through Melton's season-ending injury, the Warriors' rotation has been (and is still) a mess ever since Melton's removal from the active roster and has also put them in significant ballgame minutes without playing a true point guard, as they genuinely have nobody beyond Steph in the roster. Not only do they struggle generating transition opportunities but they have also been discombobulated in the halfcourt with slow decision-making across the floor outside Steph and Draymond. This struggle was most proven in the NBA Cup quarterfinals match against the Rockets, with the Warriors registering 6 shot clock violation turnovers due to unforced fumbled live dribbles and passes in the halfcourt.
A trade is mandatory for the Warriors to make well before the trade deadline as a few more losses would put the Warriors in play-in territory once again, and no imminent solution has yet presented to this problem that presented a multitude of further problems.
Exum is currently out of rotation due to the emergence of Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Spencer Dinwiddie, but he can still without a shadow of a doubt contribute the same way he did last year to another playoff team, with a stable offensive initiator for 10-15 possessions a game combined with a versatile two-way game and hustle gene, playable with more or less ball-dominant starters. Dallas might be looking for roster upgrades at the deadline too, and is in dire need of additional draft picks.
With this trade, not only do the Warriors organize their offense further, but also gives Brandin Podziemski a better chance to play more organically within the Warriors offense.
Thoughts?