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Warriors Could Land $137 Million Star in a Blockbuster Trade Proposal

Published December 2, 2023 at 12:13
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Now, roughly a quarter of the way into the season, we are beginning to see the true reality for each NBA team. With teams reevaluating themselves, it's time to commit to either improving for this season or planning for the future. With this in mind, here is an epic trade proposal involving the Warriors, Knicks, and Raptors.

Trade Proposal

This trade proposal has been put forth by Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, hailing this three-team deal as the potential savior of the Steph Curry Warriors era. While the Warriors aim to continue their decade of dominance with another championship and the Knicks appear just one or two pieces away from competing themselves, the disappointing Raptors should be looking toward rebuilding, and this proposal addresses all three needs simultaneously.

Warriors Receive: Pascal Siakam and Isaiah Hartenstein


Raptors Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Evan Fournier, Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes, a 2024 first-round pick from New York, a 2028 first-round pick from New York and a 2028 first-round pick from Golden State

Knicks Receive: OG Anunoby, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II

New Look Warriors

While Curry continues another MVP-caliber season and defies his age, the same can't be said for the rest of the Warriors' roster. Klay Thompson is enduring his worst season yet, Draymond Green shows signs of offensive regression, and newly acquired star Chris Paul, nearing 40, isn't the player he once was in New Orleans and Los Angeles.


This trade maintains the core intact, preserving team chemistry while lightening the workload, potentially aiding the players in regaining their form. Siakam's addition provides a certified secondary scoring option behind Curry, and with Hartenstein, it adds size to their guard-heavy lineup.

The players leaving aren't a significant loss considering their current form this year. Wiggins has struggled early, and Kuminga hasn't met expectations as a Warrior. However, the potential loss of their 2028 first-round pick might be substantial, given the age of their key stars. Nevertheless, the risk seems worthwhile, especially considering the limited opportunities to compete with Steph each passing year. A championship would certainly outweigh any lost assets in this trade.


New Look Knicks

After nearly two decades of mishandling, the Knicks finally appear to be a competitive team with genuine star attraction. They have patiently rebuilt their roster post-Carmelo Anthony, establishing a new team identity centered on toughness and grit. However, despite this transformation, they still seem far from being NBA championship contenders.

While teams like Boston and Milwaukee boast star-studded lineups, the Knicks appear to be one or two key players away from mounting a serious challenge. Surprisingly, they've refrained from pursuing big-name stars like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Instead, they've focused on acquiring players who fit their roster dynamics rather than pursuing star power for its own sake. The recent trade for O.G. Anunoby follows this trend.

Anunoby seems tailor-made for the Knicks. His scoring has been consistent, averaging around 15 points per game over several seasons, and his perimeter defense is remarkable, especially considering his age. His greatest asset is his versatility. Standing at 6'7", he's adept at both guard and wing positions, offering the Knicks options from small ball to big lineups, complementing Randle's flexibility.


While two future first-round picks hold value, considering the Knicks' young squad, their loss shouldn't be too detrimental. The primary downside would be parting ways with 23-year-old Quentin Grimes.

New Look Raptors

The Raptors find themselves in an awkward phase, possessing strong talents in Siakam and Anunoby but struggling to build around them due to various reasons. Part of this challenge arises from being based in Canada, deterring marquee free agents as seen with the departures of stars like Kawhi Leonard and Fred VanVleet in recent years. Additionally, their current playoff prospects are uncertain, further lowering their attractiveness.

Their path to improvement seems tied to the NBA draft, but the formidable presence of Siakam and Anunoby prevents them from plummeting in the standings to secure high-value draft picks. As a result, the Raptors have remained somewhat stagnant since their 2019 championship victory. With Siakam and Anunoby entering their mid to late 20s, it's an opportune time to maximize their value and commit to a comprehensive rebuild, possibly the best course for the team at present.

This proposed trade not only provides ample draft assets for the rebuild but also brings Andrew Wiggins, a former number 1 pick, to the Raptors. Despite his struggles this season, Wiggins has showcased glimpses of stardom during his tenure with the Timberwolves and Warriors, and a return to his home country might rekindle his best form.


Furthermore, young players like Kuminga and Grimes could play significant roles in the Raptors' revitalization. Overall, this trade proposal offers a promising package for the Raptors to embark on a new phase of rebuilding.



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December 2   |   209 answers
Warriors Could Land $137 Million Star in a Blockbuster Trade Proposal

Which Team do You Think Benefits the Most From This Proposed Trade?

Golden State Warriors7736.8 %
New York Knicks5928.2 %
Toronto Raptors7334.9 %
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