It's been some time since we went to the mailbag, so let's not wait any longer since it was filled to the brim after one other disastrous week for the Dubs:
With the entire salary cap apron system seemingly designed to destroy the Warriors, is there anything they might do in trades that may make a difference? Or is the NBA simply working as planned?
– Sharon R.
The system works, that's obviously. You can see it on the NBA trade market. There have been three player moves this season as so many teams within the league are hamstrung by the league's recent rules, which resulted in legitimate hard caps and limited salary pooling.
And don't forget that the Warriors lost a portion of their $30 million salary last offseason once they fired Chris Paul solely for luxury tax avoidance.
The NBA owners wanted a system that may control big-market, big-spending teams just like the Warriors, and so they got it.
But the Warriors' problems aren't resulting from the brand new luxury tax rules – the Dubs had loads of opportunity to make fundamental changes to the roster before and after the changes. They could have grabbed a No. 2 pick for Steph Curry eventually yr's trade deadline, last offseason, or sometime this season.
They didn't and there isn’t any plan to unravel the team's biggest problem.
However, there are potential trades that would make a difference for the Warriors, who’re three games behind the No. 5 seed within the Western Conference standings as of Thursday morning.
One such move could be acquiring Nikola Vučević from the Bulls. A half-measure? Perhaps. But it’s a measure, and meaning something.
The good shooting and rebounding player would fit well alongside Draymond Green and/or Jonathan Kuminga (the 2 cannot play together unless Green is the point of interest), which is a rarity within the league. He could be the point of interest of the offense when Steph Curry isn't on the sphere, and while I doubt he would finish every game due to his lax defense, I don't think he would cost greater than Gary Payton II, Kyle Anderson, and Kevon Looney – three other non-final players.
Bringing in a super-protected first-round draft pick (I feel you're getting top-20 protection the primary time around next yr) and getting super-deep point guard Jevon Carter as a part of the deal could be the Warriors in my view a step or two higher.
Robert Williams could be a wonderful substitute for the Blazers and would give the Warriors some real rim protection. Support players could be acquired as a part of a three-way, four-way or five-way swap.
There are countless scenarios. Suffice to say, something can and ought to be done so as to add quality players to this team.
One thing you didn't write about is their incredible INABILITY to attain when the opposing team decides to play zone defense, normally within the second half.
—Kit K.
In the Dec. 4 column, the Warriors were 14 losses behind on Wednesday night. I'll forgive you for forgetting that I used to be rooting for the Dubs' late games back then – which led to a five-game losing streak from which the team never really recovered.
This has been a problem for the Dubs for a very long time. Without a viable shot maker next to Curry, a 6-foot-2 guard has to do every part on offense. I don't care who it’s – it doesn't matter in the fashionable game where teams are expected to place 30 points on the board every quarter.
Wednesday's game against the Kings was just the most recent transgression – the Dubs led by 4 points with 4 minutes to play.
The Kings then outscored them 14-4 as Golden State shot 2 of 9 from the sphere and was fouled five times.
It was the form of late-game blunder that may make another fanbase lose their minds. I believe Warriors fans expected it to occur.
The Celtics [were] just too big for the Warriors to maintain up on each offense and defense. I've noticed this for a while, and I feel the necessity for a reliable 5 yr old would open up opportunities for more points. Still, I wouldn't act [Jonathan Kuminga] as a part of a trading package (although I don't think they’ve much else to supply). He is the long run of the team.
—Marc P.
Let's take a more in-depth take a look at this Kuminga comment, because I hear it loads:
Kuminga is the long run of the team as he’s young and talented. Both characteristics are undeniable.
But on a winning team of the long run he’s at best a secondary member. And it's difficult to cope with him.
I'm not questioning his character here, but quite wondering what he's particularly good at three years and greater than 5,300 minutes into his NBA profession?
He can run across the bottom and jump higher than anyone else. It's a pleasant skill to have, so long as it's accompanied by sophistication. So far that shouldn’t be the case. He doesn't shoot the 3-pointer well, he doesn't really rebound or pass, he doesn't protect the rim, and his on-ball defense is proscribed to certain forms of wings.
I understand he’s 22 years old and was drafted in 2021. But don’t say that it is just too early to make at the least some decision about Kuminga. We can compete along with his colleagues Cade Cunningham (All-Star), Franz Wagner (was on this round), Scottie Barnes (All-Star) and Evan Mobley (elite defender and rising offensive player). Meanwhile, Josh Giddey and Davion Mitchell – other Kuminga colleagues within the 2021 draft lottery – have already been jettisoned as their original teams knew they’d made a mistake within the acquisition.
This is why I said that Kuminga is one in every of those players that bad front offices eat up. His talent is undeniable and alluring. But talent only gets you into the league – knowing your role keeps you within the league.
And that guy isn't Paolo Banchero (22 years old) or Jalen Williams (23), though he might think so.
If the Warriors keep Kuminga past the trade deadline, they’ve two options this summer: extend him as a part of restricted free agency or give him a qualifying offer, which is a one-year deal that ends in unrestricted free agency .
The Warriors will shrink back from risk and do the previous. In the meantime, I expect his trade value to be lower – his talent may not change, but he will probably be a yr older and have a wider alternative of players, which won't help his cause.
A Kuminga extension would robotically make him the point of interest of the team's future. Therefore, the rebuilding post-Steph Warriors will likely construct themselves around a player who isn't ok to be No. 2 today but will reportedly be No. 1 sooner or later; A player who doesn't particularly excel in either area of the sphere, but is just talented enough to consider a breakthrough is imminent.
Congratulations. They now depend on Keldon Johnson or Harrison Barnes, the previous No. 7 overall pick within the draft.
When I ask, “What future?” that’s what I mean.
Of course there’s a likelihood for Kuminga to buck the trends and prove me fallacious. But what's the perfect case scenario here – he becomes a significantly higher rebounder, defender and passer, making him the subsequent Pascal Siakam?
That's not the variety of player you're constructing around unless your goal isn't to win games.
image credit : www.mercurynews.com
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