https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/1/4/24025022/nba-trade-rumors-warriors-kings-thunder

An interesting article came out by Kevin O'Connor about some Warriors trade moves, and Kerr's comments about Draymond have opened up the idea in the media about a potential Draymond Green trade. I wanted to game out how this trade would look in my mind if it came to it.

If Draymond can get back to his old-self, I wouldn't trade him in a million years. But if I were, this would be a haul to reinvigorate the dynasty. Bojan providing some elite off-ball scoring options, Lauri providing scoring off screens, and Walker Kessler taking cuts to the basket and providing interior defense.

Curry-CP3-Thompson-Lauri-Kessler could absolutely compete here and I'd consider them a top 5 contender.

Getting Markkanen is worth trading Wiggins OR Kuminga, Moody, and 2 firsts. But getting him and Kessler would be what I would want to sell on one of the greatest Warriors of all time who has been playing very effective…

The Mavs experiment with Kyrie hasn't FAILED, but it feels like we're seeing that Luka by himself as a heliocentric ball handler is just better. Meanwhile the Lakers haven't gotten what they wanted out of their secondary pieces; even with AD and Lebron playing well, they're fighting for a play-in spot

Both teams are having trouble getting out of the muddled middle so why not make a win-win trade. Lakers get the ball in the hands of a far more reliable player than Dlo, while the Mavericks put some solid roleplayers around Luka, with Reaves as the centerpiece coming back for Dallas.

Feels like a win-win for both teams…

Raptors don't get a haul for a half season of Siakam, but they get a promising rookie who would gel well with Barnes. Is it a low return? Yes. Better than nothing? Also yes. Will they get a better offer? Not sure!

Jazz get a nice haul back for Lauri including a wing that could be the second best guy on a championship team and a slew of picks from the Warriors, all unprotected…

Suns get picks, 2 promising young players, and two strong defenders in Gary Payton II and Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins has lost a step, but the Suns have the offensive firepower to make up for it and can let him rehabilitate back into a reliable starter; Kuminga and Moody can get more playing time and develop into strong players if given a chance.

Warriors get KD and try to revive Light Years ahead…

Pelicans get: Wiggins Kuminga Moody 26 1st 28 1st

Warriors get: Zion

*Let me say from the get go, this trade is incredibly unlikely *. You don't trade guys like Zion normally, especially when he hasn't asked out. But Zion is not your normal franchise #1. The Pelicans have had struggles with Zion over his entire career over his weight and diet habits. He's undeniably a talented player, but he has not been the superstar the Pelicans hoped for. And yet even when he's not playing, the Pelicans are playing well through their real franchise guy, Ingram.

The bet here for New Orleans is that Zion's not going to get any fitter, in fact he'll get worse, and they should sell while they can recoup some good assets for him. He wouldn't command the price like a true 1A star due to his injury, fitness, and motivation concerns, but you can still get good assets from GSW and flip them for a better fit with Ingram.

The Warriors are in a weird place themselves. They're a buyer and they have some asse…

Shout out to u/intlneet

Adjusted this trade slightly around because: Spurs did not receive much compensation for taking on Paul's contract Cavs were giving up a reliable second unit center

New trade removes the Spurs entirely, and has the Blazers taking Paul's contract (if you wanted, you could sub Thompson in here, the money still works). Makes it less likely that one party holds up the trade. They get 2 unprotected firsts and this current year's first from GSW becomes unprotected

The Cavs get Looney to bolster their second unit, and Wiggins gets a change of scenery, while the Cavs have a guy with high 2 way potential if they can revitalize him.

Warriors get Grant who would be an excellent second option who plays good defense, and Allen to provide interior defense. Thybulle and Payton II will be strong POA defenders. T. Thompson can provide some back up C minutes. Jones is familiar with the Warriors system….

Jazz receive: Mikal Bridges

Nets receive: Walker Kessler THT Taylor Hendricks 2025 Utah 1st Rounder 2025 Cleveland 1st Rounder 2027 Cleveland 1st Rounder

Why the Jazz do this: The Jazz have been frustrated at their losing streak over the past few games; if they were planning on tanking this year, there wouldn't nearly be this much noise about frustration over losing. They have a solid player in the form of Lauri who maybe tops at a #2, but with Trader Danny at the helm, who knows what reinforcements come in?

Why they don't: Walker Kessler is probably the most valuable trade chip they have. The Minnesota picks that looked like they'd be gold are looking alot less of a sure thing with their title push, while Clevelands young stars are looking like they can power through a post-Mitchell era. And Kessler can, and does, help them win games right now. If I'm Danny, I might hold him a bit longer for a bigger trade.

Why the Nets do this: The Nets are in the muddled middle for this season….

Warriors receive: Pascal Siakam

Raptors receive: Chris Paul Jonathan Kuminga Warriors Top 5 protected 2026 First

Masai's intransigence and high asking prices have become a bit of NBA lore

Why the Warriors do this: The #1 issue for the Warriors is that they do not have a reliable second option who can create his own shot. Siakam is that. A reliable 20+ ppg scorer, Siakam would inject scoring and size into a line up that needs both. Defensively, the Warriors will still need a larger body that can go up against the size of the Nuggets, Lakers, and Timberwolves. Siakam is no big man at 6'8" but he can be a solid wing defender that will be far less exploitable than Chris Paul is. And with Siakam as an expiring in the middle of the season, there are fewer teams willing to bid on his services; the Warriors might be able to buy on a solid player for a reasonable price.

The Drawback: The biggest issue is Siakam's lack of three-point spacing. Dario Saric represents the ideal of a Warriors bi…

Going to do a mini series on some trades I think the Warriors could try. This trade is the biggest swing I could see the Warriors making, but this trade is probably very unlikely

Warriors receive: Lauri Markkanen

Nets receive: Andrew Wiggins Kelly Olynyk THT

Heat receive: Moses Moody

Jazz receive: Ben Simmons Brandin Podziemski (Could be swapped out with Kuminga if preferred) Warriors top 5 protected pick in 2027 Philadelphia's Top 8 Protected in 2027 Heat Top 8 Protected pick in 2027

Why the Warriors do this: The Warriors are 10-12 after starting the season looking like contenders. While they've had some great bench depth, it feels like a consolidation move is needed to get the team back into front runner stats

Why the Nets do this: Olynyk is a solid enough center who can contribute, and can be re-signed for the Nets near-term future or to be flipped, or simply can be let walk. Andrew Wiggins is a little more than a year removed from being the #2 on a Championship team; he is at…

Cleveland took a big swing on Donovan Mitchell and seemed to have a very promising core before its collapse against the Knicks; a well-coached team, but one that does not have the star power Cleveland fielded. On the flipside, with Joel Embiid publicly musing that he might win a championship elsewhere, and with Harden a foot out the door, Philadelphia may decide to trade Embiid before he weakens their leverage by demanding a trade to only one destination (NYC? Miami?)

76ers get: Garland, Mobley Cavs get: Embiid

Why the 76ers do this: Garland's an all-star level player, and Mobley is exactly the kind of guy you would want to develop and build around. While New York can offer a bevy of picks, I'd far rather have a budding star or two in hand than 5-6 shots in what could be late lottery picks. Make a trade while Embiid's value is high, tank these next two years (they own their own pick this year and top 6 protected next year) and emerge in 2026 with Garland at 26 in his prime, Mobley a …

Why they do it:

76ers: Harden trade demand means they have to do something to salvage the situation or Embiid is looking at the exits. Getting two solid roleplayers AND a star back, this could be the best shot Philly has since the Butler Sixers

Clippers: Best case scenario, Harden, George, and Leonard stay healthy. A good/buyout center signs for the Vet Min. Westbrook is a great facilitator and the Clippers finally get their first title.

Worst case scenario, Harden's off the books next year and can be dealt in a sign and trade. Leonard and George get injured but have one year left on their contracts, and someone could be convinced to take one on a title long shot. Clippers reset their tax bill, and get ready for another shot at a stronger free agent class and convince someone to join them in Sunny LA

Blazers: Maxey is far better than what Heat and Nets could offer. Zubac has a ton of upside and can be dealt for assets, or kept to help see this Portland team through its first true r…