It’s no secret that the Warriors have been on the hunt for a complimentary second star to place next to Stephen Curry. The Warriors clearly need help on the offensive end, and there’s potentially a handful of players on the open market who could fit the bill. While the Warriors have some help on the way, with their recent acquisition of veteran guard Dennis Schroder, they are likely still in the market for some more firepower. With players like Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, and Jerami Grant expected to be available at the deadline for the right price, the Warriors still have a plethora of potential options available to them.
However, if the Warriors should strike out or get out-bid on some of the aforementioned stars, there are still some alternative, equally intriguing players who could fulfill some of their needs. With the NBA trade deadline still two months away, the availability and price tag of specific players could certainly change. But there does currently appear to be a handful of high-level role players and starters who could be good fits with the Warriors. If the Warriors are unable to pair Steph Curry with another All-Star-type scorer at the trade deadline, they should still remain aggressive in their pursuit of other roster upgrades.
With multiple additional ‘Schroder-level’ players expected to be available at the trade deadline, the Warriors should feel optimistic if they do ultimately have to shift trade deadline strategies. Call these alternative players ‘Plan B’s’ if you must, but they still have a ton to offer. Below is a list of three players who could pay big dividends down the line for the Warriors if they decide to pursue them.
3 Trade Targets for the Warriors After Landing Dennis Schroder
Jakob Poeltl
While the Warriors’ center rotation of Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis—and sometimes Draymond Green—is productive, it’s also not all that multifaceted. Amid a career year, the cost of Jakob Poeltl could be surprisingly steep, but if the Warriors can stomach it, he’d be well worth it. Despite playing in his ninth year in the NBA, the veteran center is taking his game to new heights. In a career-high 32.5 minutes per game, Poeltl is averaging career bests in ppg, rpg, and ft%.
Poeltl also would provide the Warriors with some much-needed size. It’s hard to imagine the Warriors surviving as legitimate contenders out West without a legitimate 7-footer on their roster. No disrespect to the center combination of Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis, but Poeltl would be a significant upgrade on both ends of the floor. Poeltl is certainly a dark-horse option for the Warriors, but he is someone who could add immense value with his basketball IQ, toughness, and interior passing.
Marcus Smart
Following the addition of Schroder, the Warriors backcourt is a bit crowded. With the likes of Curry, Schroder, Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II all hypothetically laying claim to rotation spots, it seems strange to opine that the Warriors should trade for another guard in Marcus Smart. But Smart isn’t just any other guard. In fact, at this stage of his career—and especially if he finds his way into the Warriors—he’s much more of a 3-and-D wing player.
Sure, Marcus Smart is a capable on-ball creator and facilitator—career 4.6 assist per game average—but what really makes Smart an intriguing potential add for the Warriors is his grit, physicality, and defensive tenacity. Development from some of the Grizzlies’ young players has shrunk Smart’s role, hypothetically making him more expendable and attainable—Smart could be a worthwhile addition to the Warriors. For his playoff experience and veteran know-how alone, Smart’s price tag is worth looking into.
Robert Williams III
Injuries are certainly always a concern with Robert Williams III, but if the former Celtics big man can be granted a good bill of health for the remainder of the year, he could be more than capable of injecting the Warriors’ center rotation with some much-needed flare. At just 6’9”, Williams is slightly undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his impressive wingspan and freakish leaping ability. Williams would immediately imbue the Warriors with a new level of rim protection. Perhaps even a level of rim protection the Warriors have not laid claim to since the likes of Andrew Bogut.
With Portland currently more concerned with the development of their youth than the stacking wins, they should be motivated to find a trade suitor for Williams. Additionally, Portland has a logjam at the center position with Williams, Deandre Ayton, and rookie Donovan Clingan. Given the immense upside of Williams, the Warriors should be willing to take on the potential risk. Assuming the Warriors are not scared off by the lengthy injury history of Williams, they should be excited about the prospect of securing what would be their best rim protector and lob finisher they’ve had in years.
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