The Golden State Warriors playoff run ended in the Western Conference Semifinal round after a tough injury blow to Stephen Curry. Now, the clock is ticking on the Curry-Draymond Green era in Golden State.
The Warriors could swing a blockbuster trade this offseason, especially with the front office feeling some pressure with Curry on the tail end of his career and Steve Kerr only expected to coach a couple more seasons.
One big name on the trade market could possibly be Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. Meanwhile, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report named the Warriors as a potential trade partner to bring Porzingis to the Bay Area.
Golden State Warriors acquire: Kristaps Porziņģis
Boston Celtics acquire: Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Gui Santos
The Warriors appear committed to pairing Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green in the frontcourt, which creates a major need for spacing. Quinten Post, a rookie second-rounder, worked his way into a regular rotation role late in the season because he could knock down threes. The Warriors were willing to live with his defensive lapses and inexperience in exchange for his shooting ability.
Porziņģis would provide even more offensive benefits without so many drawbacks. A Warriors offense that also needs size could get a lot of mileage out of Stephen Curry-Porzingis screening action, as KP's switch-busting post-up game would add a dimension the Dubs have never really had.
Boston would have to make other moves to accommodate four new players, but all four of Moody, Hield, Jackson-Davis and Santos are positive values on their current contracts. The Celtics could reroute any of their new additions or just hold onto Moody and Hield as replacements for Holiday and White if they also trade those two away.
It's an interesting scenario for both sides, and the Celtics adding Buddy Hield to the fold could be a nice boost alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Porzingis is going to enter the final year of a two-year, $60 million contract extension, so the Celtics could decide to part with him in hopes of adding assets.
The Warriors could use a big man, and the future of Jonathan Kuminga looks murky, at best.
Plus, a Curry-Butler-Green-Porzingis lineup would be tough for opposing teams to stop, which could make the Warriors' hopes of another NBA title even more realistic.