© Kim Klement | 2019 Feb 28
The March 25 NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and with the Warriors clinging to a playoff spot, they are the subject of a number of rumors concerning both comings and goings.
First the potential acquisitions. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that Golden State has been one of five teams to inquire about 25-year-old forward Aaron Gordon, who is averaging over 14 points and six rebounds this season. Gordon has turned himself into an above-average wing defender and a good three point shooter, knocking down over 40 percent of his attempts beyond the arc in 2020-21.
“Portland is an ideal fit for Gordon,” O’Connor wrote. “The former No. 4 overall pick has proved to be an effective and versatile defender when he’s locked in (like he was during Orlando’s push for the playoffs in 2019). He’d allow the Blazers to utilize small-ball lineups wherein he could focus on screening for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
“This could unleash a new dimension to his game — as a bouncy version of Draymond Green, thriving on the roll as a finisher or as a playmaker. Golden State could use Gordon in Draymond’s actual role.”
A separate report from Shams Charania of The Athletic also has the Warriors in on another wing, Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic has been a 3-point specialist (career 37 percent) but has fallen off a bit this season, knocking down just 33 percent of his attempts on over 9 points a game. Bogdanovic is still working himself back from a knee issue that knocked him out for the first two months of the season.
Bogdanovic, 28, would be a longer-term play for the Warriors, considering he’s under contract through 2024, on a deal worth $18 million per year. Gordon only has another year left on his deal, hitting free agency in 2022 after making $16.4 million next year.
Both are slightly more expensive than Kelly Oubre, who O’Conner said the Warriors are looking to trade in the same piece. After a rough start, Oubre’s trade value has spiked up as his shooting has leveled out. Since the start of February, Oubre is averaging 17.6 points (on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 36.9 percent from beyond the arc) and 6 rebounds per game. Oubre is set to become a free agent next season and is on a deal that pays him $14.3 million this year.
It’s unclear if the Warriors would look to move Oubre for either Gordon or Bogdanovic, but if they did, there would likely be a number of other players and assets included, as it’s hard to believe the Warriors would want to increase their luxury tax bill for either of those players.
