02-06-2024, 08:08 AM
(02-06-2024, 06:55 AM)omahen Wrote: All reports indicate that saving money is not a priority for GSW. Their only priority is being competitive or gaining flexibility/assets to become more competitive. That is why I don't think any ideas for them to give up assets to get out of Wiggins contract make a lot of sense, unless a true difference maker is going their way. Contracts Mavs would be able to offer are not that. GSW gets easily under the second apron by optimizing CP3 and Klay new deals (or letting one or both go).
Wiggins contract is of course bad and GSW can't upgrade that contract without serious assets attached. Their previous deals more or less limit the picks they can trade. Only one at TDL. Unless they get very lucky in the lottery, their 2024 pick will convert and go to Portland. That would give them 2025 and 2027 pick to trade in the summer. 2030 pick is very lightly protected (they lose it if it is not a top20 pick), so it would still have value. They have young players in Kuminga, Moody or Podziemsky they could trade.
GSW team is quite deep, their problem is top end of rotation. Klay is a shadow of himself and more likely best suited to be a bench player than starter. Draymond is still good when he is available. Kuminga is developing into a decent starter. Their weakness is a top end player to replace Thompson and a center. But historically, they were always a team with a cheap center, so I guess that area wouldn't be their main priority. Their main need to hope to remain competitive is a two-way elite player, running mate for Curry. Basically a big guard.
Unless Wiggins turns it around, his contract would be still difficult to move in the summer and they can't get the player they need this TDL. Best contracts for them would be guys that would be expiring next season, which they could package with other assets in a trade for a star. This season, they don't have any other choice but try to be as competitive as possible. Their pick is only top4 protected, so very likely going to Portland. I think their choice is pretty much - trade Wiggins for something like THJ+Holmes. Get two deals that will be expiring next season and are still serviceable. A better defender with a similar contract structure would be better for them, but I guess it is not on the table. Unless they can get something like that, their best bet is imho to continue with Wiggins and hope he turns it around and increases his summer trade value. It can't really get much worse than it is at this point.
Curry is also getting "older". He used to be top 5 in more or less every advanced stats. Compared to being a top 5 player, he is down to top 15-20 now. Tho rather in the Anthony Davis, Lauri, Tatum tier.