The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to clinch their fourth championship in the past eight years. There is no question that Golden State features one of the best dynasties of all time. Although the players, fans, and organization are currently celebrating the victory, the front office is already preparing for the 2022-2023 season. The Warriors want nothing more than to repeat as championships next season.
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Today, we are taking a look at three trades the Warriors must make in order to win consecutive NBA championships.
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3 trades Warriors must make to help them repeat as NBA champions
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert may seem like an odd fit for the Warriors given their uptempo play style. However, he could be the missing link. And the Utah Jazz are rumored to be shopping the big man.
Golden State's one “weakness,” if you event want to call it that, has been at the center position during their dynasty. They have seen a revolving door at the position with players such as Zaza Pachulia, DeMarcus Cousins, Andrew Bogut, etc. Kevon Looney did an excellent job of stepping up during this postseason, but is he the future at center for Golden State?
James Wiseman was previously considered the future big man for the Warriors, but constant injuries have limited his playing time so far in his young career. So trading for Gobert could be a logical move.
Gobert is a star despite some criticism he received this past year. He is an excellent defender and his questionable scoring output wouldn't be an issue for Golden State's high-powered offense. Adding an elite rim protector like Rudy Gobert could elevate Golden State next season.
James Wiseman is someone who could be included in a potential trade package for the Jazz big man.
Jakob Poeltl features a fairly similar skill set to Gobert. However, the San Antonio Spurs big man would come at a far cheaper price than Gobert. Utah likely wants an arm and a leg for Gobert, while the Spurs might be happy with James Wiseman and a couple of picks.
Poeltl averaged 13.5 points per game and just under a pair of blocks per contest during this past season. He is one of the most underrated shot blockers in the NBA and possesses a solid offensive package.
The trade makes sense for the Spurs as well. They are looking to build a winner around breakout star Dejounte Murray. Dealing Poeltl would allow them to acquire young talent with a high ceiling.
I wanted to get a 3-and-D player or even a guard on this list, but Golden State features plenty of depth at those positions. So Myles Turner, who is expected to be one of the top names on the trade block this offseason, is another big man who makes sense for Golden State.
Turner has dealt with injuries over the past couple of years. But he is another excellent defender who could help anchor the Warriors' defensive unit. He also possesses impressive offensive ability. Turner can finish at the rim or hit from long range. And we know that anybody with 3-point potential tends to excel on the Warriors.
He would also come at a cheaper cost than Rudy Gobert. The Indiana Pacers' desire to move him could lead to another discount as well. Turner is a guy who makes sense as a trade target for Golden State.
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