Golden State Warriors Rumors: Proposed trade has defending champs acquiring Charlotte Hornets duo
The Golden State Warriors are close to full strength, but still need to find some consistency to maintain their place in the Western Conference standings. The Warriors are rumored to be going active at the trade deadline and a proposed trade has them acquiring two players from the Charlotte Hornets.
Monte Poole of NBC Sports reported last week that the defending champions will be active in the trade market. Poole also clarified that the Warriors are not looking into any deals at the moment, but want to add size and shooting.
According to Ryan Aston of Heavy Sports, Golden State should look into Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee of the Hornets. Aston noted that McDaniels will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, while Plumlee is in the final year of his contract.
If the Charlotte Hornets don't want to lose Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee for free in free agency, they should make them available ahead of the trade deadline. Ryan Alson urged the Golden State Warriors to trade James Wiseman and Moses Moody for the Hornets duo.
McDaniels could play multiple positions and currenlty shoots 35.8% from beyond the arc. Plumlee, on the other hand, is a solid big man who can do it all. He's averaging 11.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season.
As for the Hornets, adding Wiseman and Moody would signal a roster overhaul. They can develop the two young guys alongside LaMelo Ball and whoever they draft this summer. It could even be Victor Wembanyama since they currently have the second-worst record in the NBA.
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Other players the Golden State Warriors could target
With the Golden State Warriors looking for size and shooting, they have been linked to several players. Several analysts have named potential targets for the defending champions ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
Bleacher Report thinks that Kelly Olynyk of the Utah Jazz, Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs and Mike Muscala of the OKC Thunder could help the Warriors. Olynyk and Muscala provide size and shooting, while Poeltl is a good rebounder and help defender.
Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated suggests going after Cam Reddish of the New York Knicks. Reddish could provide shooting and perimeter defense, and would only cost the Warriors two second round picks. The former lottery pick is described as a low-risk, high-reward trade target.
Other players who have been linked to the Warriors include Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls and Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns. Turner is a big man who can shoot, while Caruso or Crowder could be the defensive energizer Golden State needs.
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