The Golden State Warriors may want to try to make another major run toward contention, and they may be willing to surrender rookie center James Wiseman and their lottery pick to make it happen.
But only if those assets bring a “perennial All-Star” in return, as relayed by Wes Goldberg of the San Jose Mercury News.
The Warriors own the Minnesota Timberwolves’ pick, obtained in the D’Angelo Russell trade last season. The pick is top-three protected in 2021, but unprotected in 2022. The Timberwolves currently sport the league’s worst record — but that means little in the new lottery system. They very well could end up with the fourth pick in what is expected to be a deep draft.
“As the Timberwolves toil through the season with the NBA’s worst record, this is one of the most valuable trade chips in the league, and not one the Warriors will part with for anyone short of an All-Star,” Goldberg wrote.
“Same goes for rookie center James Wiseman, who the Warriors selected with the No. 2 pick in November’s draft and has shown flashes of a skill set that should be enticing for any rebuilding team. According to league sources, Golden State is committed to Wiseman, and won’t move him unless part of a package that nets a perennial All-Star talent.”
Along with that, Goldberg pointed to small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. as a potential trade chip, especially given Oubre’s expiring contract.
“The Warriors could also try to deal point guard Brad Wanamaker, who has recently fallen out of the rotation,” Goldberg added.
Washington guard Bradley Beal, Orlando center Nikola Vucevic and Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins could be among the names the Warriors might target.
