Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Golden State Warriors
The main thing people think of when they think about the Golden State Warriors is their ability to normally be a great three-point shooting team. So far this season, Golden State ranks 21st in the league in three-point shooting percentage, which is directly correlated to not having Klay Thompson.
Of course, not having one of the greatest three-point shooters of all-time is going to hurt any team, but for the Warriors, not having Klay hurts a little bit more because of how much he means to this team and his teammates. He is such a great team-player and offensive contributor, that it is hard to find guys who play with their “heart on their sleeve” like Thompson does.
Buddy Hield is definitely this kind of player and he is also a very high-volume three-point shooter. With him being over a 40% shooter from deep over the course of his career, he could have a major impact immediately on the Warriors and quickly become Steph Curry’s second-hand man this season.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins have not been impressive at all in terms of being complimentary players to Curry and right now, this team is just the ‘Steph Curry Show.’ Trading for Buddy Hield not only sets this team up to make the playoffs and contend this season, but for when Klay is back and this team is fully healthy, the Warriors would have the best three-point shooting team in the league.
Jordan Poole is a player the Warriors are really high on moving forward, but they will have to develop him over time, whereas Buddy Hield is already established and you know what you are getting with him. Not to mention, Nemanja Bjelica could be a great veteran addition for Golden State.
The 32-year old Serbian forward is a 39.2% career three-point shooter and he is a decent rebounder as well, averaging about 5 rebounds per game since entering the league in 2015. With the struggles the Warriors have in their frontcourt, with Draymond Green just returning from injury and Marquese Chriss being out for the year, Bjelica can provide depth and more veteeran leadership for this young team.
The Warriors would also be getting a protected first-round pick in this trade that could prove useful to them continuing to build a young core for the future. They just drafted James Wiseman 2nd overall this past year and he has NBA star written all over him, and they also have Minnesota’s first-round pick next year.
If this organization can keep getting high first-round picks and continue to draft high-level, young talent, they will have no problem setting themselves up for success for years to come and keep the dynasty alive. Making this trade should be a no-brainer for the Golden State Warriors and if they can convince the Sacramento Kings to trade Buddy Hield, the Warriors will be championship contenders for the next several years.
