The Warriors are swinging for the fences before the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Warriors have called nearly every team in the league to land an All-Star-caliber player to pair with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Charania noted that the list of players includes the Suns’ Kevin Durant, the Lakers’ LeBron James, the 76ers’ Paul George, the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram, and the Heat’s Jimmy Butler.
“The Warriors are legitimately calling about every All-Star player,” Charania told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday. “You just name the All-Star player, the Warriors have probably called about them. Paul George, they’ve probably called about. They’ve made calls on every star… They are making calls. They are dead set on trying to find another superstar player with Stephen Curry.”
Elsewhere, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater also reported the Warriors “have inquired” with the Suns about Durant’s availability, but are unsure if he would be open to a Warriors reunion.
One wonders if Golden State’s desperate approach has stemmed from the pair of blockbuster trades last weekend that saw conference rivals like the Lakers and Spurs land Luka Doncic and De’Aaron Fox, respectively.
The Warriors can’t be blamed for trying to maximize the final few years of Curry’s prime. However, they must be judicious about the assets they’re willing to give up, especially for aging players like George or Butler. The latter has reportedly informed the Warriors that he won’t sign a long-term contract with them.
The Warriors (25-24) own the 11th seed in the West and face the realistic possibility of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Curry turns 37 in March.