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Trade Talks: Should Warriors Give Up Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga for Pascal Siakam?

Published 01/02/2024, 12:25 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Golden State Warriors are in a big dilemma. It’s not like the situation in 2020 or 2021 either. Back then, they were looking at draft picks to bring them back to contention, as their Big 3 was still performing at the highest level. While Stephen Curry is still at the top of his game, Klay Thompson is not. Draymond Green is a much bigger problem. What’s the Warriors’ dilemma, you ask? Whether to trade their do-it-all forward or to let go of youngsters like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga for somebody like Pascal Siakam.

Let’s look at the Dub’s chances to land 2x All-Star before the trade deadline.

Brandin Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga for Pascal Siakam?

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Dub Nation would rather let Andrew Wiggins or Draymond Green walk with a few picks than watch youngsters like Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga go out having such high potential. However, the front office will have a different look at it. With Wiggins’ 4-year $109 million contract, and Green also being in the 1st year of his $100 million deal, they have got to let go of one of their two frontcourt stars to accommodate a star of Siakam’s caliber. And no team in the NBA would gladly take the struggling ex-All-Star wings without a Podziemski or Kuminga. And with Klay’s struggle this season to find his usual self, it can’t be the rookie sensation who should be parlayed.

USA Today via Reuters

With Pascal, the Warriors solve their front-court issues and might not regret trading Kuminga. But letting go of Podz could haunt them, especially if Klay continues his struggle late in the season.

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Why will the Raptors be interested in any Warriors deal?

It is simple. Warriors have two veteran forwards whom they might be looking to move. After trading OG Anunoby and getting RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Raptors must target wings to move on from Pascal Siakam. Wiggins or Green might not be the best option for them in a 3-and-D role. However, the experience these NBA champs will be bringing with them to add to their young core will be hard to find somewhere else.

If the Warriors do decide to package one of their unsettled forwards either with Podziemski or Kuminga, it will be tough for Masai Ujiri and Co to say no.

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Will the Warriors’ issues resolve with the addition of the man who aided Kawhi Leonard in denying them a 3-peat? Only time will tell.

Watch This Story: When Did Stephen Curry Last Not Make a Three-Pointer In-Game?

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Written by:

Akash Murty

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One take at a time

Akash Murty is an NBA Content Manager at EssentiallySports. He has a writer's portfolio of over 2100 articles in his 21 months as a writer/editor. Basketball has been his go-to sport to follow for more than a decade.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe