Examining Warriors' five biggest needs at trade deadline
The Warriors will be the first to tell you they've been an average team thus far.Steph Curry said it. Steve Kerr said it.It's no secret there is a lot of room for this team to improve. So come the March 25 trade deadline, it wouldn't be surprising to see Golden State make a move.There are several areas the Warriors need to address in order to become an above-average team. The question is: Are the answers to these issues already on the roster, and they just haven't been able to tap into it yet? Or are they somewhere else, and if so, can the Warriors acquire them before the deadline?Either way, they need to be solved. Here are five of the top priorities the Warriors need to address:
Rebounding has been one of the Warriors' largest issues this season. They've been outrebounded in nearly every one of their games, yet Kerr will never throw his hands up and just accept that rebounding will be an Achilles' heel for his team.
"I don't think we can concede," Kerr said ahead of the Warriors' game against the Los Angeles Lakers last Monday. "I do think it's an area where we're going to struggle at times. As James [Wiseman] continues to grow and learn, I think he's going to help us in that regard."
Yes, Wiseman has the potential to be a good rebounder, but it's yet to come to fruition. The Warriors want Andrew Wiggins to be impactful on the boards, but they also have him guard the opponents' best players, who often spend a lot of time on the wing. This makes it hard for him to get in a position to grab a lot of rebounds.
It definitely wouldn't hurt for the Warriors to look at someone like Tristan Thompson during the trade deadline/ While Thompson wouldn't help with any of their offensive woes, he would be an aggressive rebounder and help boost morale in that area.
The second unit has been a problem area for the Warriors this season. The issues can't all be pinned on the backup point guard spot, but it is a position that has been lacking for Golden State.
Steve Kerr opted to switch out Brad Wanamaker for Nico Mannion following the All-Star break after Wanamaker's underwhelming first half of the season, but Mannion isn't going to be the end-all-be-all problem solver for the Warriors. He is only a rookie, after all.
It would benefit the Warriors to target a backup point guard with a bit more experience who can anchor that second unit and make sure they survive the Steph Curry-less minutes on the floor.
James Wiseman is the Warriors' top trade asset, and Jordan Poole is another, but that doesn't mean the Warriors should use them. Quite the opposite.
The Warriors have said the only way they'd trade Wiseman would be for a "generational talent." Though Wiseman has had an up-and-down season, the organization sees him as the future centerpiece of the roster. They're best served keeping him.
Another young name who has emerged as an important piece for the Warriors is Jordan Poole. Sure, his sample size is small. But, Poole's showing in the G League and his first games back with Golden State has shown that, yes, he could be a trade asset, but that he's also valuable to the team.
As the Warrior look to retool their roster, they shouldn't get rid of future talent in the process.
Bob Myers has said multiple times that the Warriors could never have too many shooters, and now might be the perfect opportunity for them to add some more.
And frankly, the Warriors don't have many right now. Of course, they have Steph Curry, but once you get to the bench, the best shooters the Warriors currently have are Mychal Mulder and Damion Lee.
Both Mulder and Lee are guys who come in and can knock down some shots, but they aren't players who other teams fear getting hot. They aren't big enough threats to change the game.
The Warriors need a Kyle Kuzma-like player -- and no, he isn't available -- who can enter the game and have opponents fear his capabilities. If Kuzma gets going, the Lakers' chances at winning increase a ton.
The Warriors need a shooter and scorer off the bench like that, and currently don't have one.
Any time a team is eyeing a playoff run, it helps for them to have veterans who have been there.
Right now, the only players on the Warriors' roster with any true playoff experience are Curry, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. It wouldn't hurt to add another.
This player wouldn't have to play a ton, but could be more helpful as a strong locker room presence to mentor the younger players about what to expect.
Having a player who has more experience but wouldn't take up too many minutes also would be a good asset to have beyond this season. As Klay Thompson works his way back, the veteran could cushion that transition but also wouldn't make sorting out the rotation complicated.
