Golden State Warriors Trapped in NBA Trade Deadline Dilemma

Despite a 19-24 record, the team remains motivated to win, with Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga as potential trade chips.

Golden State Warriors are reportedly in a trade deadline trap with no clear path for upward or downward mobility. The team is disincentivized to hit the eject button on a season going south because they still employ Stephen Curry and don’t even own their first-round pick.
Warriors are 19-24, but motivation remains to win, to climb at least into the Play-In Tournament mix and threaten the young contenders atop the conference come April. The Warriors are buyers. But this trade market is saturated with them, which tends to create an overpriced economy.
Andrew Wiggins profiles as the most likely Warrior to be dealt. He’s on the first season of a four-year, $109 million extension. The Warriors have fielded player-for-player offers for Wiggins, according to team and league sources.
Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors’ most valued trade chip, isn’t an ideal fit next to Scottie Barnes, the centerpiece of Toronto’s rebuild. Their skill sets overlap, so the Raptors weren’t exactly beating down the door to figure out a way to pry Kuminga.
Warriors have a greater need and thirst for a wing or center. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen fits the description, but most league personnel don’t believe he’s truly available. If he did get moved, the price is expected to rise higher than what exists in the Warriors’ bank account.