The Golden State Warriors spent the last decade-plus as one of the most feared teams in the NBA. From 2014 to 2022, the team appeared in the NBA Finals six times and won it all four times.
However, the Warriors are now dealing with an aging roster and have fallen behind the top teams in the Western Conference. It doesn’t seem like a blockbuster trade is coming soon, either, based on what head coach Steve Kerr recently said.
Steve Kerr Warns Warriors Against Risky Blockbuster Trades
The Warriors are currently sitting at 18-17 after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. If the regular season ended today, the team would be in the Play-In Tournament as the No. 8 seed.
If the Warriors want to contend one more time with this core, it seems like a bold trade would be needed. However, while appearing on the “Tom Tolbert Show,” Kerr downplayed the idea of a blockbuster addition.
“All you have to do is look at some of these teams out there that have given up the world for a star player, and now they’re looking around like the Clippers, no picks. Phoenix, no picks. Milwaukee, no picks,” Kerr explained. “You can really paint yourself into a corner if you’re risky and irresponsible.”
As Kerr mentioned, the Clippers, Suns, and Bucks, in particular, have made questionable moves that have their futures in doubt. The Clippers are still hurting from the Paul George trade, the Suns from the Bradley Beal trade, and the Bucks from the Damian Lillard trade.
The Warriors have been rumored to be interested in stars like Anthony Davis, but Kerr’s comments seemingly shut down that idea. It seems more likely that the team will opt for marginal upgrades or perhaps scour the buyout market after the deadline.
Warriors Dealing with the End of an Era
As mentioned earlier, the Warriors are in the final phases of one of the most dominant eras in NBA history. The team won four titles in eight seasons and ended with the best regular-season record of all time in the 2015-16 season.
Stephen Curry is still playing like a star, averaging 28.7 points per game. However, the 37-year-old doesn’t have the supporting cast he once did, as Jimmy Butler is the only other player on the team averaging more than 12.5 points per game.
Per NBA Advanced Stats, the Warriors are 21st in net offense rating and fourth in net defense rating. The Warriors will face the Utah Jazz on Saturday before traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers on Monday.
