Golden State Warriors Rumors: Defending champs likely to make James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga available for trade 

The Golden State Warriors are one game below .500 after losing to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. The Warriors might also lose Steph Curry, who suffered a shoulder injury. The latest rumors suggest that the defending champions are likely to make a trade before the deadline.

In an interview with Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports, an anonymous NBA executive said that the Warriors might make James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga available. The executive explained that Golden State need to add a reliable veteran and not waste the season Curry is having.

"I have a feeling the Warriors are going to make either Wiseman or Kuminga available," the exec said. "They just need another solid veteran."

He added:

"They think they're decent enough talent-wise, but they just don't think they can put those kids on the floor and execute. They recognize their talent and their athletic ability. They just don't have the execution piece. And their logic is this: They only have X number of years of Steph Curry's elite level of play, and they don't want to waste any of it."

The executive added that the Golden State Warriors were hoping that James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga would develop as quickly as Jordan Poole. However, the Warriors are struggling and might need to make some changes to strengthen the roster.

"So far those two kids have just not developed in the same way Jordan Poole has," the executive said. "And I would think there's somebody out there who'll say, 'Yeah, I'll take one of those young guys and see if I can't, with patience, get them to develop.'"

Wiseman has been disappointing for the Warriors this season. He was sent to the NBA G League to earn game time and experience. Kuminga, meanwhile, is starting to find his stride after an inconsistent start to the season.

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Who could Golden State Warriors target?

Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report reported earlier this month that some NBA executives reckon the Golden State Warriors could be active in the trade market. The Warriors are reportedly looking to improve their depth and defense. They have been linked with players such as Jae Crowder, Myles Turner, Saddiq Bey and Jakob Poeltl.

An anonymous executive told Heavy Sports that the Warriors won't target a top player. They want someone who can contribute right away but not overshadow the team's top stars. Andre Iguodala was that player in their championship runs in 2015, 2017 and 2018, while Gary Payton II was the X-factor last season.

"It's not like they'd be looking for another great player," the executive said. "Sometimes what you need is just a guy who's reliable. A guy who knows what to do, knows what not to do. He's not going to get in the stars' way, and he's going to be able to do the things necessary to help the team's execution."

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