The Golden State Warriors dynasty could be over, following the 21-point loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the second round of the playoffs. Instead of showing championship-caliber intangibles and forcing a Game 7, the Warriors were devastated and unable to take their chances on their homecourt in the final game. Nobody expected Golden State to go out as badly as they did, especially with Klay Thompson going 3-19 in Game 6 and Jordan Poole struggling throughout the playoffs (10.6 PPG on 26.7% 3-PT FG). Other than Stephen Curry (30.3 PPG on 37.1% 3-PT FG) and Kevon Looney (6.3 PPG, 12.7 RPG), no other Warriors player played above their usual level.
Looking ahead to next season, it is clear that the time for the four-time championship core is over. There must be significant changes in the roster this summer and a massive blow-up including Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, three first-round picks, and even Kevon Looney could occur. Specifically, the Warriors can acquire two elite big men to completely change their roster and give the All-Star backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson some new players to work with. If the case presents itself where arguably the best two-way player in the world is unavailable, there could be some other changes happening in Golden State.
Steve Kerr is one of the greatest coaches in the NBA and he has a chance to lead this team to another title in the near future. With Curry at age 35 and Klay at 33, the time for the Warriors to win is right now and there could be some packages out there that bring on board Karl-Anthony Towns and Pascal Siakam. That’s right, the Golden State Warriors can have a dominant Big Five to challenge the top teams next year and win the NBA championship.
A New Starting Power Forward
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Moses Moody
The Golden State Warriors are a team that was once considered a dynasty, but they have struggled significantly this season without enough size and versatility. One player who could potentially help them return to their former glory is Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors. Siakam is a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and is known for his athleticism and defensive skills. He was a key part of the Raptors' championship run in 2019 and has continued to improve each season since then. He averaged 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG this season, and has shown that he is capable of being a primary or secondary scoring option for a team. The Warriors are a team in need of some offensive firepower, especially since Stephen Curry is 35 years old and has to handle a lot of pressure.
Siakam could provide offense, as he is a player who can create his own shot and is comfortable taking on a larger role on offense. He could complement the talents of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who are both excellent team players, and help the team maintain a high level of ball movement and cuts to the basket. In addition to his offensive skills, Siakam is also a strong defender. He has quick hands and is adept at blocking shots and forcing turnovers. This could be particularly valuable for the Warriors, who have struggled on the defensive end of the floor this year (21st in OPPG and 17th in defensive rating). Adding a new power forward who is a better scorer and more athletic than Draymond Green would be a welcomed sight for the Warriors fan base that struggled to love the team this year.
Of course, the Warriors would have to give up something in return for Siakam, as he is a valuable player with All-Star intangibles. Golden State must lose Jordan Poole who is only 23 years old and will have a bounce-back year without the weight of contract pressure, playing for Golden State, or even a punch over him. The Warriors must also let go of dominant rebounder Kevon Looney whose value will not be higher right now. A 20-year-old Moses Moody is another key player that can be the new piece to compete alongside Scottie Barnes in Toronto.
Acquiring All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns In A Blockbuster
Credit: Kevin Jaira-USA TODAY Sports
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, 2023 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick, 2027 First-Round Pick
No doubt, the Golden State Warriors are a team with championship aspirations, but they have been struggling to perform at a high level all year long. They have an exciting core with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but they lack a dominant big man who can complement the team's style of play. This is where Karl-Anthony Towns comes in. Towns is a proven star in the NBA, having been named an All-Star three times and an All-NBA player twice. He has been the cornerstone of the Minnesota Timberwolves for several seasons, but the team has struggled to build a contender around him. As a result, Towns has been rumored to be a potential target for other teams, including the Golden State Warriors.
On paper, a trade for Towns would make a lot of sense for the Warriors. He is a versatile big man who can score from anywhere on the court, shoot from distance (39.5% career 3-PT FG), and rebound at an elite level (career 11.2 RPG). He is also a strong defender and rim protector, which would address one of the Warriors' main weaknesses. In addition, Towns is only 27 years old, which means he can fit with the Warriors' core in multiple ways. He is also under contract until the 2026-27 season with a $60 million player option in the 2027-28 season. However, making a trade for Towns would not be easy for the Warriors. The Timberwolves would likely demand a high price in return, which could mean giving up some of their own core players.
The Minnesota Timberwolves want to recoup some of the draft assets they lost for Rudy Gobert and would require two-way youngster Jonathan Kuminga to be the core of the deal along with the three first-round picks. Draymond Green and Gary Payton II can also be acquired to bolster the team’s playoff aspirations next year with Anthony Edwards leading the way or can be both traded for other assets. The Warriors also have some financial considerations to keep in mind, as Towns' contract is a sizable one. A trade for Karl-Anthony Towns would be a significant move for the Golden State Warrior and it could be worth it for a team that is looking to contend for a championship once again. A big man who can rebound, shoot the three, and also pass the ball means Golden State can add size and shooting at the same time.
A Big Five To Win The West And The NBA Title
If the Golden State Warriors were to make trades for both Pascal Siakam and Karl-Anthony Towns, there is no doubt that they would instantly become one of the most formidable teams in the NBA. With the combination of Siakam's defensive prowess and versatility, and Towns' offensive dominance and rebounding ability, the Warriors would have two incredible players who complement each other and fit the team's style of play.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will get another chance to create a dynasty, and this time they will have size in starting lineup in Pascal Siakam and Karl-Anthony Towns. Of course, Andrew Wiggins would be the best two-way player on this team, and his presence is essential for the Warriors’ future success.
Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns
The addition of Siakam and Towns would also give the Warriors a much-needed boost to their frontcourt. With Draymond Green as their primary frontcourt player, the Warriors have often struggled to match up against other teams with bigger and more physical players this season. Siakam and Towns would both bring size, strength, and athleticism, which would improve the team's defensive and rebounding capabilities.
Furthermore, the combination of Siakam and Towns would make the Warriors more unpredictable and difficult to defend against. Siakam, with his ability to play multiple positions, would provide the Warriors with a unique element of surprise, making it difficult for opposing defenses to anticipate his movements. On the other hand, Towns would give the Warriors an elite scorer who could take over games on his own, especially when other teams try to take away their perimeter shooting. Replacing Green and his inconsistent shooting (30.5% 3-PT FG) with Towns (36.6% 3-PT FG) makes perfect sense, and Siakam did well playmaking as he posted 5.8 APG as well.
Overall, the Golden State Warriors have a tremendous chance of winning another NBA championship if they were to trade for both Pascal Siakam and Karl-Anthony Towns. With their impressive roster, superior talent, and dominant style of play, it's hard to imagine any other team stopping the Warriors from achieving their fifth NBA title with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson as the superstar duo. Now, the Warriors' GM has done a splendid job building a championship team and going after stars such as Kevin Durant in years past, and he could have another chance to bring in not one but two new All-Stars to win yet another title in the 2023-24 NBA season.
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