Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Golden State Warriors

Steph Curry has obviously been the driving force of the Golden State Warriors to this point in the season, but their ability to share the basketball and turn defense into offense is what has led to a respectable record for the first-half of the year. 

The Warriors currently rank 1st in the league in assists per game offensively and and defensively, they rank 7th in transition points. When they lock in defensively, the Warriors are actually a really strong basketball team and with the ability to push the tempo on the court, Golden State has punished its opponents off of turnovers and getting stops defensively. 

For this reason is why JaVale McGee could be a huge addition for them. He is not a player that can push the tempo or dish out assists, but he is a very sound defensive player and is averaging 1.2 blocks per game in about 15 minutes per game this year with Cleveland. 

McGee is a great defensive big man, which is why the Warriors could benefit greatly by trading for him. Wiseman is very prone to fouling opponents when going for blocks and Looney is an undersized big man, leaving this team with no real shot-blockers. Wiggins and Wiseman are the only players averaging above a 1.0 blocks per game, which is not ideal for the Warriors. 

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They need more consistent play on the defensive-end of the court from their frontcourt if they are to make the playoffs in the Western Conference, which is why trading for JaVale McGee makes a lot of sense. He is already familiar with the Warriors’ core and their style of play, which is why it would not take much time to get him into the rotation playing key minutes. 

At the expense of Jordan Poole and a future second-round pick, acquiring JaVale McGee and having him be an anchor at the center position could be key for this team to make the playoffs again.