The Golden State Warriors have been running on fumes ever since January. The new year has not been kind to them.
The theme of the season has been injuries. A whole lot of them.
Golden State hasn’t seen a game with its two best players in the lineup in 70 days. That is a death sentence for any team in the Association.
Still, the Dubs have tried muddling through. They recently ripped off three straight wins, albeit against lottery-destied teams, until last night’s crushing loss in Denver to the Nuggets felt like the latest gut punch.
With all that has gone against their favor, the Warriors are still hoping to make something productive out of this season with the return of Stephen Curry looming.
Jimmy Butler was lost nearly three months ago, so the team is where it is, but the sheer excitement of watching Curry put on his hero cape is enough to get Dub Nation to still hang around.
But after the year is over, which it will very likely be in a matter of three-ish weeks, there is expectation for major change.
Golden State Warriors are on the verge of an aggressive summer
It seems the Warriors offseason has had a similar vibe several years in a row.
Many consider it a “do-or-die” summer; some even say it is the last chance to get Curry help before he grows impatient and discards his loyalty card. Then rumors go on and on about whom Golden State is interested in pursuing in free agency or via trade.
But this summer could indeed mark a significant point for the franchise. Its best player is headed into year 18 and will turn 39 years old before the playoffs. To think Curry will sit still through another year of mediocrity, or worse, is borderline dishonoring a legend.
Even non-Warriors fans can agree the four-time champion deserves better, especially because his production still rivals that of some of his prime years.
The machinations behind a blockbuster summer trade would be complex.
GettyGolden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.
The Warriors have limited capital no matter how one slices it. The team houses older players and not enough emerging young talent. It will absolutely take some masterful front office execution to truly position the Warriors as legitimate postseason threats next season.
That maneuvering may require giving away one of the best players on the team. No, not Curry, but his co-star, Butler.
According to Sam Quinn of CBSSports.com, the Warriors would likely include Butler in a trade package to acquire a marquee name.
“The Warriors have no clear cap space to free up, so they’ll have to hope his deal remains intact and tradable,” Quinn wrote. “Even then, cost will be a factor. Golden State would presumably use Butler’s expiring contract as the matching salary and offer draft picks as value.”
Are the Dubs ready to bet on an aging superstar?
Dealing Butler wouldn’t be the biggest question mark; the swingman is 36 years old and will be coming off major injury when he returns to the court. Besides, trading Butler for a superstar wouldn’t make the Warriors older or younger. The team’s current timeline would remain the same.
The more pressing question is if Golden State is ready to deal its cards to land a player well into his 30s.
Consider LeBron James, who has been commonly linked with the Warriors in recent years; he is going on 42 and in the final year of his contract with the Lakers. Would he even take an enormous pay cut to come play with Curry? Because Golden State would be nuts to pay the four-time MVP anywhere near what he’ll make this season.
Other names linked to the Warriors are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard.
With Leonard’s involvement in the on-going Aspiration scandal, his contract could be voided, therefore making him a free agent. But if his deal with the Clippers is maintained, he’ll be tradeable, as Quinn notes.
Leonard will turn 35 in the offseason and carries a deep injury history, though he has been enjoying his healthiest campaign in years. On paper, he appears to be a wonderful fit with Curry.
Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, is going to be on top of many teams’ radar. That alone will make him a much harder target.
What feels inevitable is that something is going to happen sooner or later. The Warriors have a bulletin board filled with notes to address over the summer.
With Curry knocking on the door of his final years, something must change in the Bay Area.
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