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3 Golden State Warriors Offseason Targets

3 Golden State Warriors Offseason Targets

The Golden State Warriors have experienced a remarkable turnaround since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. Their impressive 14-2 stretch, despite a recent stumble against the shorthanded Denver Nuggets, positions them as a team to watch in the upcoming 2025 Playoffs. While Butler’s addition has revitalized their prospects, the Warriors’ front office recognizes they need additional pieces to become genuine championship contenders.

Trade rumors suggest the Warriors are eyeing several targets to bolster their roster. Potential acquisitions include Norman Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers, Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets, and John Collins from the Utah Jazz. This aggressive approach to roster improvement marks a significant shift in the Warriors’ strategy, as they broke their longstanding reluctance toward midseason trades with the Butler deal. The organization appears committed to maximizing their championship window and providing Stephen Curry with the supporting cast needed for another title run.

Norman Powell

Norman Powell has emerged as a breakout star for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 NBA season. Currently averaging a career-high 23.4 points per game, Powell has established himself as the Clippers’ leading scorer and a vital component of their offense.

At 31 years old, Powell’s exceptional performance has garnered attention from teams looking to bolster their rosters, with the Golden State Warriors reportedly showing interest. The Warriors, currently ahead of the Clippers by two games in the standings, could view Powell as a potential upgrade to their backcourt.

However, acquiring Powell would present significant challenges for the Warriors. The Clippers have struggled noticeably during Powell’s injury absences, highlighting his value to the team. This importance to Los Angeles would likely result in a high asking price.

For the Warriors, adding Powell would align with a win-now strategy but would further age their core lineup. With Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green also in their 30s, the team might face defensive limitations with such a veteran-heavy roster.

The Warriors would need to determine if Powell represents enough of an upgrade over current options like Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield to justify the cost. Additionally, the Clippers may be reluctant to strengthen a divisional rival, making any potential trade particularly complex.

Cam Johnson

Cam Johnson has emerged as a potential trade target for the Golden State Warriors. The Brooklyn Nets forward is having an impressive 2024-25 campaign, putting up 19.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His shooting ability and offensive versatility make him an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their frontcourt.

The Warriors have shown consistent interest in Johnson throughout the season. However, they ultimately pursued and acquired Jimmy Butler instead, reportedly due to the high asking price set by the Nets for Johnson. This decision might be revisited during the upcoming offseason.

Johnson would theoretically fit well within the Warriors’ system, providing spacing and scoring alongside their current core. His shooting prowess would complement Draymond Green’s playmaking abilities in the frontcourt. That said, the Warriors face some roster complications that make such a move questionable.

With Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, and Green already in the mix, adding Johnson would create a logjam at the forward positions. The cost-benefit analysis becomes particularly important when considering Kuminga’s upcoming free agency.

Trading Kuminga plus draft capital for Johnson might only make sense if:

  • Kuminga’s contract demands exceed the Warriors’ budget
  • The team feels Johnson better fits their championship timeline
  • Brooklyn lowers their previous asking price

John Collins

John Collins represents an intriguing trade target for the Golden State Warriors as they look toward the 2025 offseason. Currently with the Utah Jazz, Collins has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season. His performance has caught the attention of several teams seeking frontcourt reinforcements.

The 6’9″ power forward/center holds a $26.5 million player option that he’s expected to exercise. Given the Jazz’s rebuild status, they appear motivated to move Collins for assets that better align with their timeline. Several reports have consistently mentioned Collins among potential trade chips for Utah.

The Warriors’ interest makes strategic sense for multiple reasons:

  • Positional need: Golden State could use a versatile big man
  • Offensive fit: Collins provides both lob threat capabilities and perimeter shooting
  • Contract situation: Being on an expiring deal reduces long-term risk

The former Atlanta Hawks standout offers the modern skill set that complements the Warriors’ system. His mobility allows him to cover ground defensively while stretching the floor offensively, attributes that work well within Golden State’s schemes.

Trade discussions might involve some of the Warriors’ younger assets, with Jonathan Kuminga potentially being part of negotiations according to some predictions. The Warriors revitalized their season following their Jimmy Butler trade, demonstrating their willingness to make significant moves.

Collins wouldn’t provide traditional rim protection, but his athletic finishing ability and floor spacing could create a “supercharged” offensive lineup when paired with Stephen Curry. With the Warriors looking to maximize Curry’s remaining prime years, adding a talented big like Collins could help address their frontcourt limitations without committing long-term until they see how the fit works.

Anthony Amador

A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
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