close
close

This Warriors-Nets trade could bring Steve Kerr the next Jordan Poole.

Posted on by Bobb
This Warriors-Nets trade could bring Steve Kerr the next Jordan Poole.

Golden State Warriors got some sad injury news this week. De’Anthony Melton is set to pass. end-of-season anterior cruciate ligament surgeryleaving the Dubs without a key defender and shooter on the second line. Steve Kerr’s team looks more energized and cohesive than in previous years, but without Melton the depth is a little more sparse.

Few teams more equipped However, for a significant deal earlier than the February deadline than with Golden State. The Warriors have draft picks, young pieces and, most importantly, motivation. Stephen Curry doesn’t have much time left in the NBA, and the Dubs want to make the most of his limited window.

We should expect the Warriors to be on the hunt for stars, but with no obvious All-Star, don’t be surprised if the Dubs settle for the win. If that upside comes in the form of a potential replacement for Melton – or at least another viable two-guard who gets 20-30 minutes on the perimeter – even better.

Brooklyn Nets they are expected to listen to trade offers for every player on their roster. Maybe, the most interesting candidate for a dealHow does Sam Amick cover it? AthleticCam Thomas. The 23-year-old has been a revelation this season, averaging 24.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists on .458/.392/.865 splits. His combination of youth and productivity should appeal to a variety of teams.

One would assume the Warriors will do their due diligence on the Nets’ top record. The people of Vegas seem to think a move for Thomas to Golden State is at least possible.

Follow the boardFanSided’s daily email newsletter on all things basketball. If you like The Board, share it with a friend! If you don’t like the Board, share it with your enemy.

Do we think the Warriors will ever miss Jordan Poole? It’s been tough sledding since he left the Dubs, but Poole was electrifying during Golden State’s most recent Finals appearance. The benefits of a nervy, dynamic ball creator on the second line are clear, especially as Curry approaches the twilight of his career.

Cam Thomas could play a similar role for the Warriors. He won’t be as useful an off-ball player as Poole once was – Poole is more dynamic off-the-ball and offensively, something he learned from Steph – but Thomas has become a truly effective isolation center this season. He also did significant progress as a playmaker for others, gradually expanding his approach to better emphasize his teammates.

However, the Warriors need to tread carefully here. Thomas’ skill set is designed to confuse some people (Draymond Green). He will ignore open shots and settle for the occasional ill-advised and lucky shot. However, what the Nets are asking for from Thomas right now isn’t sustainable. He may average 25 points per game on a rebuilding team, but Thomas is not a “top contender.” His next step is to learn to operate in the context of a winning team.

If ever there was a coach and system that finally put Thomas on the path to a competitive environment, it’s Golden State. If Thomas opens himself up to learning the nuances of Steve Kerr’s offense, learning from the greatest defender of his generation in Steph, it could be the best thing of his career.

As for Brooklyn, this is a chance to land a much-coveted target in Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors were reluctant to involve Kuminga in trade talks this summer, but his usage and playing time have dwindled during his contract year. Without the backing of a long-term extension, there’s a real chance the Dubs will decide to trade Kuminga instead of letting him hit free agency. Brooklyn was related to former lottery playerwhose size and plus-plus athleticism could make him more attractive long-term than Thomas.

Essentially, this is a trade of future restricted free agents. Thomas’ shot creation and volume shooting could prove more useful for Golden State, while Kuminga will finally get a chance to prove himself in a prominent role with the Nets.