Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Golden State Warriors

This season, with no Klay Thompson, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins were the two guys thought to step up and be fantastic offensive weapons next to Steph Curry. So far, this has not been the case as Oubre Jr. has really struggled offensively and Wiggins has struggled finishing in the lane. 

In their frontcourt, Draymond Green is just returning from injury, but has no depth behind him and due to Marquese Chriss getting hurt, the Warriors are down to rookie center James Wiseman and Kevon Looney at center. This team needs all-around production, primarily in their frontcourt, which is why trading away Andrew Wiggins for Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross makes a lot of sense. 

While Ross is not as good defensively as Wiggins, he is more than capable of being a key offensive shooter and scorer and Aaron Gordon gives this team the depth they need at the forward position. Not to mention, acquiring him gives them the ability to go small and have more offensive weapons on the court at a time. 

A potential starting lineup of Steph Curry along with Oubre Jr, Gordon, Green and Wiseman makes the Warriors very lengthy and solid defensively, but then gives them the ability to go small with a lineup of Curry, Oubre Jr, Ross, Gordon and Green. This team needs scorers right now and both Terrence Ross and Aaron Gordon can consistently score in double figures on any given night. 

The only guys scoring in double-figures this season for Golden State is Steph Curry plus Wiggins, Wiseman, and Eric Paschall, which is extremely concerning for a team that is paying a lot of money to potentially contend in the Western Conference this year. The only limitation to this trade for the Warriors is that they would be paying even more in taxes next season.

Both Ross and Gordon are under contract next season as well and with Klay returning, they would likely be unable to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr. It is not clear whether or not the Warriors would be fine with letting Oubre Jr. go, but this trade proposal gives them the best chance to win now. 

Outside of future years, the Golden State Warriors did everything they could this offseason to make this team a contender without Klay Thompson and unless they trade away Wiggins for these two role players from Orlando, they will likely be booted from the playoffs in the first-round, if they even make the playoffs at this rate!