NBA Trade Proposal Would Make Golden State Warriors Instant Favourites To Repeat As Champions

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors have struggled with consistency all season, as they enter play on Wednesday just two games above .500 (20-18).

Granted, the team has started to turn a corner since a Dec. 21 blowout road loss to the Brooklyn Nets dropped them to 15-18 on the year. The Warriors have won five straight games and have a manageable upcoming schedule, with the 10-30 Detroit Pistons coming into town tonight.

 

The Warriors have won four championships over the last eight seasons (2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022). With future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green still at the top of their games, the Warriors remain in win-now mode. So it wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Bob Myers decided to make a blockbuster move or two ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Jack Simone from Heavy.com proposed a blockbuster trade that would see Golden State land big men P.J. Washington and Mason Plumlee from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for 2020 second overall pick James Wiseman, Moses Moody plus a lottery protected 2026 first-round pick:

“Adding Plumlee and Washington would give their bench two solid upgrades. Plumlee has been putting together a solid season for Charlotte and would be an immediate upgrade over Wiseman. As for Washington, he’s putting up career-high marks and would pair alongside Jordan Poole to form a lethal one-two punch off the bench.

By adding two legitimate bench pieces, and ones that can be trusted to produce on a nightly basis, Golden State could catapult themselves back into the championship race.”

On paper, this trade makes plenty of sense for both sides. The Hornets are well out of the playoff race at 10-28, and GM Mitch Kupchak may feel motivated to sell ahead of the deadline. Wiseman and Moody could certainly help Charlotte’s long-term rebuild here.

Washington is averaging 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The 32-year-old Plumlee, who’s been widely mentioned in trade rumors for a while now, is averaging 10.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

When the Warriors have their core players at full strength, they’re undoubtedly a top -flight NBA championship contender. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to add veteran talent that could help them compete for a fifth championship, and it’ll be interesting to see how Myers approaches the deadline as February draws closer.