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Trade drama surrounds the Golden State Warriors. Dub Nation wonders what they will do with Jonathan Kuminga or if the deadline could see them make another seismic move to improve their 13-15 record. But actually managing the situations and figuring out what to do, that’s a complex process. Steve Kerr receives a lot of advice, and that doesn’t rule out fans’ absurd suggestions.

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Trade speculation continues to swirl around the Golden State Warriors. With a 13-15 record, questions persist about Jonathan Kuminga’s future and whether the deadline could bring another major move. Sorting through those possibilities, however, is far from simple. Steve Kerr is flooded with advice from all sides, a mix that includes thoughtful input and, inevitably, some wildly unrealistic fan suggestions.

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One of them mistook Cooper Flagg for the NFL’s Cooper Kupp. The Warriors’ head coach shared his experience with former player Tom Tolbert on his podcast.

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“I remember last year before the draft I had a guy who kept emailing me and saying just offer Dallas three firsts for Cooper Kupp,” Kerr said on the Tom Tolbert Show.

“The guy sent me like three of them, but he kept calling him Cooper Kupp. I know we can get Cooper Kupp for three firsts. But Cooper Flagg, I don’t think that’s [happening].”

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Would bringing Cooper Flagg to the Warriors have helped? There’s no doubt about that. But Tolbert sarcastically explained that a trade isn’t a one-way agreement.

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Even if the Warriors offered Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler, the Mavericks probably would have stayed put. And for good reason, considering Flagg recently dropped 42 against the Utah Jazz and is the leading contender to win Rookie of the Year.

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If only the NBA business were simple enough for the Warriors to package three first-round picks for a transformational rookie. Sadly, it isn’t. The Mavericks were never trading Flagg, who they managed to pick despite having only a 1.8% chance at winning the lottery. And especially not after the recoil they faced from their fans for trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers.

But the Warriors are looking to improve their roster.

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Warriors to take a buyer’s stance in the market

Stephen Curry has been going nuclear since his return from injury. However, the Warriors haven’t managed to find success even with their talisman’s breathtaking form. The team needs an injection of energy, especially some dynamic talents, to enhance their roster. Chris Haynes claims the Warriors find it in their best interest to invest in a talented center.

According to the insider, a few options have emerged for the Bay.

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“They are looking for an athletic center, and so sources have relayed to me that a list of targets are Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton and Robert Williams,” Haynes reported.

The five is a position for the Warriors that requires some innovation. At the moment, Al Horford and Quinten Post offer three-point shooting. But aside from Gary Payton II, the Warriors don’t have a bona fide lob threat. With skilled passers like Green and Stephen Curry, having a presence above the rim could really help give their offense some life. At the same time, each of those names can protect the rim, allowing Draymond Green to operate at his natural power forward position.

The Warriors have several trade chips they can use. The most likely player seems to be Jonathan Kuminga, who becomes eligible for a trade on January 15. They can also use other young talents to make a decisive move to their roster. But do you think the Warriors will actually make this move? Let us know your honest views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,514 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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Md Saba Ahmed

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