SAN FRANCISCO – It’s the final days before the 2024 NBA Draft and the opening of free agency, and Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy is holding his cards close enough to leave paper cuts on his chest .
The evidence is that Dunleavy implied on Monday that trades are extremely difficult to construct and complete in today’s NBA.
“Beyond learning about our team in general – I think I mentioned it just before – it’s just difficult to make deals,” he said at a news conference at the Chase Center. “I can’t emphasize that enough. There are a lot of good teams that know what they’re doing, whereas in the past it seemed like you could do something quickly with someone, or there were different reasons to make a trade.
“Now is hard”.
Nice try, hard to buy.
This is the general manager who surprised the league last summer by acquiring Chris Paul. It wasn’t a surprise that Dunleavy traded Jordan Poole in the deal, but it raised eyebrows around the world that Golden State was signing a 38-year-old point guard making $30 million.
If an aging point guard making $30 million, even with a one-year guarantee, can be moved, the market is open and there are explorable options available.
Additionally, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, who met in the 2024 NBA Finals, are proof that trades are not only available but can change the balance of power within the NBA.
By trading Kristaps Porzingis last June and Jrue Holiday last October (two mega deals), the Celtics established themselves as the franchise most likely to win the Finals.
Trading for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington at the Feb. 9 trade deadline, the Mavericks retooled their roster on the fly (added two starters) and overcame a mediocre start by winning 21 of their last 30 games and then defeating three Western Conference heavyweights to reach the finals.
Trades are still an NBA issue, as much or more than MLB or the NFL. In fact, trades are the lifeblood of the league and often have more impact than signing free agents.
However, timing is the most crucial element.
“It’s about having a willing partner,” Dunleavy said. “I think to do that, you have to find the right time. You have to find the right player that works for you and just have players available.
“I’m calling everyone, but if the player is not available and there is no price, then no trade can be made.”
Exchanges are not easy to make. But they’re not incredibly difficult, especially if you have assets. The Oklahoma City Thunder, recognizing the need for perimeter defense, traded 2022 first-round pick Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso.
The Mavericks plucked Gafford and Washington from two teams – the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets – on a bullet train to the lottery and seeking salary cap flexibility.
The Celtics, on the other hand, simply did their best to surround current stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with enough two-way talent to form a championship-or-bust roster. Boston traded away a core member, Marcus Smart, to add Porzingis, and traded two players and two future first-round picks (including this year’s) to bring in Holiday.
That’s what it took to win a championship.
The Warriors appear firmly committed to maximizing the next two seasons, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, as well as coach Steve Kerr, all under contract. With or without Klay Thompson, that’s not a core built for the long future.
That’s why players like Paul George and Jimmy Butler, both over 30, invite intriguing speculation about a Golden State team that has two future first-round draft picks.
Landing a veteran impact player would almost certainly require moving Jonathan Kuminga, who projects to have the biggest upside among Golden State’s under-25 players.
The Warriors have shown no desire to part ways with Kuminga, and their same intention has applied to Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
“Everyone is making decisions right now, whether it’s about future draft picks or current players,” Dunleavy said. “Everyone is trying to improve, so everyone is exploring and asking questions. It’s good that the phones are ringing and there is interest in our boys, that’s a good sign for the level and quality they are at.
“However, that doesn’t mean we’re overly committed to it.”
That could change. Poole’s deal for Paul came together fairly quickly. Dunleavy never pointed to his hand.
He’s not thinking about that now, other than trying to play it cool when all signs point to Golden State wanting to add a veteran impact player.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.