The Golden State Warriors recent interest in Lauri Markkanen was far from just about getting a secondary offensive star to pair with Stephen Curry.
The 2023 All-Star would have provide a balance to a number of Warrior problems, eliminating issues that now still remain after Markkanen officially renegotiated and extended his contract with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
The Golden State Warriors should still be looking to target more front court shooting over the remainder of the offseason
Perhaps the biggest issue for Golden State remains in the front court and finding a balance between their offensive and defensive versatility. Most believe Jonathan Kuminga simply has to start entering his fourth season, but simultaneously it’s unfair to expect Draymond Green to be the team’s starting center from opening night.
The Warriors could start Kuminga, Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis, but that leaves a distinct lack of shooting and a $26 million player in Andrew Wiggins coming off the bench. It’s not just that Golden State has this issue, it’s that they’ve really got no front court shooting in general even coming off the bench.
Kyle Anderson is a valuable addition but shot just 22.9% from beyond the arc last season, while Kevon Looney is neither a shooter not expected to be part of a fully healthy rotation going forward. The Warriors did add a seven-foot, three-point shooting big man in the form of Quentin Post at July’s NBA Draft, but getting any rotation minutes from the 52nd overall pick should be seen as a bonus rather than something to be relied upon.
In their Markkanen report on Tuesday, The Athletic did mention that Golden State would continue exploring smaller-scale deals over the remainder of the offseason. If that’s the case, much of it should be focused on acquiring some version of a stretch big. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a starting-calibre player, but at least someone who can give you greater optionality than what they currently have.
There are options out there for the Warriors. Obtaining one of Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis may be their best route, yet should be considered unlikely given the duos standing as top six rotation members on a contending team, not to mention the Milwaukee Bucks place as a second apron team makes it more difficult for a deal to happen.
The other issue for Golden State is that they still want to keep their powder dry for a bigger move down the track, meaning they can’t give up too much in the way of assets now that would in anyway compromise that possibility.
Let’s have a look at three arguably more realistic trade proposals that lands Golden State a shooting big man, while also retaining much of their assets moving forward.
1. Warriors land 25-year-old former top 10 pick
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This isn’t the first time Wendell Carter Jr. has been proposed as a target for Golden State. In fact, the franchise reportedly discussed a deal with the Chicago Bulls that would have seen them acquire Carter before the 2020 NBA Draft.
Since then Carter has become a solid starting center for the Orlando Magic, though has been slightly interrupted by injury over the past couple of seasons. The 25-year-old’s 11 points per game last season were the lowest since his rookie year, but he still shot 52.5% from the floor and 37.4% from three-point range.
Carter isn’t known for his defense by any means, yet could be solid enough particularly playing next to Draymond Green. Of the three options discussed here, he’s really the only one who could legitimately push for a starting role.
With the Magic re-signing big men Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner this offseason, there’s enough speculation to suggest Carter could be gettable. There would be no shortage of suitors for someone slated to make a very team-friendly $22.8 million total over the next two years.
Would Moses Moody, Kevon Looney and two seconds from the Atlanta Hawks get it done? Probably not. But perhaps the Magic value Moody enough to consider it though, especially if they see him as an under-utilized prospect who could back up the recently signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the wing.
The Warriors would also take back $1.8 million less in this deal, allowing them some wiggle room to add another veteran minimum to the 14th roster spot, or alternatively give Quinten Post a guaranteed deal.
2. Warriors take chance on injury-prone big man
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Golden State adding San Antonio Spurs big man Zach Collins wouldn’t be as valuable as Carter, but the 26-year-old has at least appeared to get over the injuries that ruined much of the early portion of his career.
Collins is a talented offensive player who’s averaged in excess of 18 points per 36 minutes with the Spurs in each of the past two seasons. His three-point shooting did go off the boil a little last season at just 32%, but he did shoot 37.4% from beyond the arc in 2022-23.
The 6’11” big man is set to make $34.8 million over the next two years — that may be overs for a bench player, but it also means that Collins could be acquired relatively cheaply from a trade standpoint.
The Spurs are full on roster spots but could easily manipulate things to make this deal work, potentially by waiving one of the incoming Kevon Looney or Gary Payton II. Perhaps the Warriors would need to throw in a second-round pick to make it happen, but even then San Antonio may simply be happy giving up Collins for two expiring contracts.
A former 10th overall pick in 2017, Collins could prove valuable in a 15-20 minute role of the bench with the potential for more playing time against certain opponents where front court spacing becomes crucial.
3. Warriors buy low on Rockets big after impressive Olympic campaign
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With Alperun Sengun eating up most of the center minutes and Steven Adams set to return from injury, it’s difficult to envisage Jock Landale getting too much playing time with the Houston Rockets next season.
It’s therefore difficult to see the Rockets being overly desperate to keep the Australian, particularly if they just get an expiring contract in return. Landale and Kevon Looney make the exact salary next season, with the former also on non-guaranteed $8 million deals for the following two years.
After impressive recent performances at the Olympics, perhaps it’s a good time for a rival team to buy low on Landale. In Australia’s four games prior including their elimination at the hands of Serbia on Tuesday, the 28-year-old averaged 14.5 points which is good for 13th among all players in Paris.
Landale’s scoring also came on a highly efficient 62.5% from the floor, having shown great touch around the rim while also possessing the ability to extend to the perimeter. His 8.5 rebounds are also third among Olympic players, while he also added 2.5 asissts and 1.3 steals per game.
The shooting hasn’t necessarily translated to the NBA level at this stage, but Landale does have two professional seasons shooting in excess of 38% from beyond the arc prior to joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2021-22.
Would it be an exciting addition by any means? Not really. Yet if the Warriors think Looney can’t get back to being a consistent rotation player, maybe they’re better off taking a chance on seeing if Landale’s Olympic form can continue through to the NBA stage next season.
