The Golden State Warriors had an absolutely horrendous 2019-20 campaign. So much so that they were perhaps one of the few teams that would have been more than happy if the season got cancelled altogether.
The good news for the Warriors is that their suffering doesn't look like it's going to last more than a single season. The team is expected to be fully healthy next term, and the mid-season addition of Andrew Wiggins is going to be an interesting prospect for the Dubs moving forward — that is if they opt to keep him.
Moreover, Golden State is currently in possession of a number of valuable assets, including a potential first overall pick in the 2020 draft. They could be buyers once the trade market opens, and below are five trade prospects that should be able to help the Dubs go for title No four next year.
John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
John Collins would be a tremendous addition to the Warriors front court, which at the moment, looks to be the biggest void they need to fill in the offseason. Kevon Looney is their only (semi) reliable big man on the team, with Draymond Green expected to soak up most of the minutes at the four next season.
Collins can play both positions, and has already proven that he can be a significant contributor. He's also just 22, so he could also be a key building block for the Warriors' future.
The Atlanta Hawks might just be willing to part ways with Collins, given how they signed Clint Capela last season. Golden State might just be able to pry away Collins from the Hawks at the right price.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Phoenix Suns
Kelly Oubre Jr. has been outstanding since making the move to the Phoenix Suns, putting up a career-best 18.7 points (on 45.2 percent shooting), along with 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. He's an excellent shooter from deep, too, connecting on 1.9 triples per contest on a 35.2-percent clip. Oubre is the kind of player that would slide in excellently in head coach Steve Kerr's system.
Much like Collins, Oubre could be a building block for the Warriors' future, given how he is just turning 25, and appears to have a higher ceiling than what most folks initially believed.
The 6-foot-7 swingman will be on an expiring deal, which is why the Suns might be willing to part ways with him. He won't come for cheap, though, and Phoenix will likely require Golden States' first-round pick as part of the exchange.
Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
Let's take a break from (relatively) young and promising guys and shift our attention to a proven veteran — one that can instantly propel the Warriors to becoming favorites in the West again next term.
This comes in the form of New Orleans former All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday. The 30-year-old is one of, if not the best two-way point guard in the league today, and it is perhaps his exceptional defense that will benefit the Warriors the most. Playing Holiday alongside the Splash Brothers is going to be a treat.
The Pelicans might be willing to trade Holiday away, as they focus their attention on building their team around their young core of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball. Holiday is owed upwards of $50 million over the next two years, though, so that might be a bit of a problem for the Warriors.
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Building on the same argument we presented with Holiday, Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics is another tenacious defender the Warriors could use next term. He is not as good as Holiday on the offensive end, but he should come with a more affordable price tag for the Warriors.
A backcourt of Smart and Thompson could easily be one of the most feared defensive guard duos in the entire league. Having Smart on the floor will also ease the burden defensively on Curry, which will allow the former back-to-back MVP winner to focus his energy on the offensive end.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Talking about MVP's, how about Giannis Antetokounmpo? This may sound crazy, but he might just be available if the Milwaukee Bucks somehow fail to sign him on an extension this offseason.
The Warriors could try and tempt the Bucks with a package centered around their 2020 first-round pick — ideally it should be the first overall pick — while throwing in Andrew Wiggins, maybe Eric Paschall, and a future draft pick(s). It's going to be quite a haul for the Bucks, but it's certainly going to be worth it for the Warriors if they get their man. Plus, the Dubs could actually pull this off without tearing down their core.
Needless to say, adding Giannis to the mix will instantly make the Warriors an overwhelming favorite for the title — perhaps even more than when Kevin Durant joined them in 2016. With Antetokounmpo on their side, the Warriors dynasty should be back in full swing after a single-season hiatus.