The Golden State Warriors were linked to a three-team trade this week that would solve a lot of their current problems.
Coming into this season, Stephen Curry and Co. were viewed as a legitimate title contender. They may not have been the frontrunners for a championship, but they were in the mix.
After 44 games, though – Golden State has consistently looked awful. Something needs to change.
Fortunately, the Atlanta Hawks seem set on trading away one of the most promising and versatile talents in the NBA right now.
As noted by CBS Sports, Murray would be a seamless fit into Golden State’s current operation.
“Murray would immediately solve the Warriors’ creation problem, adding a scorer and playmaker adept in the pick-and-roll (72nd percentile, including passes, per Synergy Sports). He’s also been a good catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter this season, making him a strong candidate to play alongside Curry as well as in place of him,” Colin Ward-Henninger wrote.
The problem for the Warriors is that they have made one key role player nearly off limits in any trade talks. That leaves Andrew Wiggins as their lone big trade asset – as confirmed by his girlfriend’s recent cryptic tweets.
Atlanta has zero need or want for Wiggins, though. Hence the need for a third team. Fortunately, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Dallas Mavericks have interest in Wiggins’ services.
“I heard Dallas has always liked him, and they’re looking to upgrade at the three,” Scotto said.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic then confirmed that there is mutual interest there.
“They got him back that summer on a four-year extension,” he said.
“This is year one of the extension. You know, I think it’s somewhere around $24 million this year. That was viewed at the time as a bargain deal and team friendly.
“The way the last two seasons have gone, and particularly this season where he’s having the worst offensive year of his career, all the lineup numbers and on-court data have been terrible for him and have tanked his value. It would be kind of a sell low time for the Warriors. As far as teams, you mentioned those Dallas rumblings have been out there.”
Molly Qerim literally looks like a different person when she’s not wearing makeup: https://t.co/UvgCZfqzyB
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 31, 2024
A three-team deal that sees Wiggins land in Dallas, Murray with the Warriors, and a combination of picks and financial assets in Atlanta (which the Hawks can then flip) makes a ton of sense for all parties involved.
Obviously there have been reports this week that a Murray to the Los Angeles Lakers trade is definitely happening, but until it actually occurs, nothing is done.
Will the Warriors be able to swoop in and steal Murray from the Lakers ahead of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline? Time will tell.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.