As the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaches, all eyes are on the Golden State Warriors. The dynasty that has defined the last decade of basketball suddenly finds itself in unfamiliar territory – clinging to a .500 record and floundering outside the playoff picture. Pressure is mounting to make a move, any move, to right the ship. But the face of the franchise, Stephen Curry, is preaching patience.
“Desperate trades or desperate moves that deplete the future, there is a responsibility on allowing or keeping the franchise in a good space and good spot when it comes to where we leave this thing when we’re done,” Curry said after the Warriors fell to 19-20 with a loss to the lottery-bound Raptors. “Doesn’t mean that you’re not trying to get better. It doesn’t mean that you’re not active in any type of search to, if you have an opportunity where a trade makes sense, or even in the summer free agency [move] makes sense. You want to continue to get better.”
Warriors Brain Trust United on Patience
Curry isn’t alone in his measured approach. He, head coach Steve Kerr, and star forward Draymond Green have been aligned since training camp that the Warriors shouldn’t make any rash decisions, especially if it means sacrificing young players or future draft assets. Newly promoted general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. is on the same page.
“Mike understands we want to win. We want to be in that position where we’ve always said that you want to be relevant in the championship type of chase. While we understand we’re getting older and deeper into our careers and allowing some of the young guys to kind of blossom, it doesn’t mean you’re getting desperate.”
Stephen Curry on GM Mike Dunleavy Jr’s approach
It’s a delicate balancing act for the Warriors brain trust. On one hand, the clock is ticking on the primes of Curry, Green, and Klay Thompson. There’s an urgency to capitalize on their remaining years and vie for another title. But mortgaging the future for a quick fix could leave the cupboard bare for the post-Curry era.
Frustration Mounting But Perspective Maintained
Still, the losing is taking its toll. Curry has voiced his irritation at times this season, acknowledging the team was “mid” during this prolonged slump. Kerr and Green have tried various tactics, from team meetings to lineup shakeups, to steady the ship. Nothing has worked so far.
“It sucks! It sucks. I don’t like falling below 500. But here we are, so we got to do better.”
Steve Kerr after loss to Raptors
Kerr shouldered the blame for the latest loss, a sign of a coach trying everything to spark his team. But he, like Curry, isn’t ready to abandon the bigger picture. This Warriors dynasty was built methodically through the draft, savvy trades and free agency. Blowing it up for short-term gain would betray that ethos.
The Case For a Trade Deadline Splash
The counterargument is that the Warriors’ championship window with this core is nearly closed. Extracting maximum value from the Curry-Green-Thompson triumvirate has to be the priority. Role players like Jordan Poole, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman are promising but unproven. If a trade for an impact veteran puts Golden State back in the title hunt, it may be a price worth paying.
The Warriors also have one of the league’s highest payrolls, deep into the luxury tax. Expensive contracts for the likes of Poole and Andrew Wiggins could hamstring future flexibility. Moving off money now while bringing in win-now help is a valid argument.
Eyes on the Deadline
Ultimately, the Warriors have three weeks to chart their course. Stand pat and trust the process that’s produced four titles in eight years? Or swing for the fences in a last-ditch attempt to reclaim past glory? The basketball world will be watching.
One thing is certain: Curry, the heartbeat of this Golden State run, will have a large voice in the final decision. His words carry immeasurable weight and he’s clearly not one for making moves out of desperation. But even superstars have their breaking point. If the losses keep piling up, Curry’s patience, and that of the Warriors as a whole, will be put to the ultimate test.
