Warriors owner Joe Lacob has said that the chances of Golden State swinging a trade for another star this offseason are "unlikely," but that doesn't mean the Warriors aren't interested in going that route.
The Sacramento Bee's Jason Anderson reported Monday, citing league sources, that the Warriors are among the teams who are "enamored" by the possibility of trading for Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. Anderson also reported that the Kings and Los Angeles Clippers also are interested in Siakam, but said that the possibility of Toronto trading the 27-year-old is "unlikely" at this point.
Golden State focused on the future in the 2021 NBA Draft, selecting young wings Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody at No. 7 and No. 14 overall. Knowing they needed to find veteran help in free agency, the Warriors agreed to veteran minimum contracts with Andre Iguodala, Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, but lost out on Nicolas Batum and Patty Mills.
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While Kuminga and Moody showed promise during the California Classic, the Warriors know both will need time to develop and should expect their contributions next season to be limited.
Siakam is a notch below Beal and Lillard on the star scale, but he has a lot of skills that would make him a good fit in Golden State. He's smart, versatile, a menace in transition, a good shot creator and is entering the prime of his career. Even after adding Iguodala, who will serve as a secondary ball-handler who can initiate the offense when Steph Curry sits, the Warriors still are in need of a versatile wing who can defend multiple positions, play on and off the ball and create for others.
Siakam's 3-point percentage leaves a little to be desired, but he still would be a nice fit alongside Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
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Golden State Warriors
The Warriors could offer a package to the possibly rebuilding Raptors centered around Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman and one of Moody or Kuminga. While Siakam reportedly doesn't want to be traded, the Raptors drafted Scottie Barnes at No. 4 overall who is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Siakam should Toronto elect to engage in a full-on rebuild.
After missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, the Warriors plan to jump back into the NBA title picture this season. They know that how Thompson looks upon his return from a ruptured Achilles will be key to their title hopes.
But acquiring Siakam would give the Warriors another two-way wing who can take some of the pressure of Thompson when he returns. The only question is whether or not the Warriors believe Siakam is worth the price it will cost to acquire him should he truly become available.