Warriors Trade Rumors Roundup: JR Smith to GSW, Golden State's Need for Depth and More

Golden State Warriors are hell-bent on a three-peat this year.

From a bird's eye view, the Warriors might seem like the last team needing reinforcements right now. Having Boogie Cousins back in action with just about enough time left for him to catch his groove before the postseason, the Defending Champs are en route to making it unfair for the other teams again this year.

Currently, the Warriors are 1.5 games clear of the surging Denver Nuggets as they sit atop the Western Conference leaderboard hosting a 34-14(0.708) win-loss record next to their name. They look strong with the All-star break right around the corner and all their cogwheels in place and working to perfection.

Sporting five All-Stars in a starting lineup is something no franchise in the history of the game has been able to achieve. Moreover, Cousins smooth incorporation into the already deadly GSW roster has proven to be a spat on the face of all who thought it might not work out.

The trade deadline expires February 7th, and even though common opinion suggests inactivity on the front office's part, there might be a few threads worth looking into for some clarity.

Let's delve into Golden State's radar for now and see who their front office thinks would be a somewhat-enhancing piece for the team on paper.

#1 Warriors seem to be one of the interested parties in landing JR Smith.

JR Smith is a career 37% shooter from beyond the arc.

Yes, who can forget Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals.

JR committed a blunder that many believe cost LeBron the series and for that matter, an embarrassing sweep in the Finals as well. However, a lot has changed since then. LeBron left to join the Lakers, the Cavaliers possess the worst record in the league this year AND JR Smith has suited up for just 11 games this season so far.

Apparently, both JR and Cavs are looking for someone to help them end this relationship, and guess who just might play that role, the mighty Warriors after all.

According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops,

Finally, it appears exiled guard J.R. Smith may be somewhere closer to accepting a buyout after the trade deadline, after all. He has been working out and wants to play. Teams such as the Rockets and Warriors may be willing to give Smith a shot, but his large contract just won’t allow it to happen in a trade.

Well, the fact that he's earning $14.72 million this season and has a non-guaranteed cap hit of $15.68 million in 2019-20, makes it harder for teams to go crazy for him. With the Houston Rockets also mentioned as potential customers, if the Cavaliers plan on buying JR out post next month's deadline, then the player-franchise impasse might possibly come to an end.