The Warriors need to do something. The longer Stephen Curry plays like he's 27 instead of 37, the more obvious it becomes that he's perhaps further from the end than anyone might think. And the longer he keeps it up devoid of any signs of slowing down, the more apparent it becomes that Golden State is perilously close to wasting away an extended precious window.
Forget the All-Star team, Curry is playing at a First-Team All-NBA level. This isn't Dirk Nowitzki's final stages in Dallas or Dwyane Wade's swan song in Miami, at least not yet.
That's why with the February 5 trade deadline now less than a month away, its time for Mike Dunleavy Jr. To once again push more chips into the middle of the table.
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And no, not with roster tweaks around the fringes. This team is simply too far away. They need to once more think big, just as they did a year ago in swinging for Jimmy Butler.
Fortunately, they have the contracts and future picks to go and get it done... And do so without giving up Butler or Draymond Green.
The first major domino of trade season fell with the Hawks sending Trae Young to the Wizards, signaling the official end of an era in Atlanta. The Hawks' return — CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert and no draft picks — could be an omen for teams looking to offload expensive distressed assets, of which there are aplenty.
MORE: Trae Young trade grades for Hawks, Wizards
Enter, Charlotte and New Orleans, both of whom are saddled with onerous max contracts.
Warriors 3-team trade proposal
Although the new NBA cap restrictions and aprons make it far more difficult to concoct deals that actually work, it's not impossible.
The Hornets are paying LaMelo Ball $37.9 million this season with another three years totaling $131 million through the 2028-29 season.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson is making $39.5 million this season and is extension eligible this offseason despite another two years and $87 million on his current Pelicans deal.
Here's my proposal:
- Warriors receive: LaMelo Ball
- Hornets receive: Zion Williamson, Will Richard, GS's 2028 unprotected 1st-rd pick
- Pelicans receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, GS's 2026 1st-rd pick
Fanspo
The money works all around though it's worth mentioning Kuminga cannot be traded until January 15. And we can of course quibble on draft picks.
(Editor's note: Fanspo's Trade Machine is the best on the internet as it includes updated draft assets, contract stipulations and real-time feedback on why trades don't work. It also allows the ability to toggle on and off certain restrictions such as Kuminga's Jan. 15 stipulation.
MORE: Ranking every team's chances of landing Ja Morant
Let's quickly break down what's in it for each team.
Why Warriors say yes
Golden State's offense crumbles whenever Curry is off the floor: 106.4 pts/100 possessions which would rank dead last in the NBA.
Most fake trades involving a major name also feature either Butler or Green heading out the door. By keeping Jonathan Kuminga (the divorce here is long overdue) out of the Butler trade with Miami a year ago, Golden State gave itself another out.
The 6'7" Ball is big enough to play alongside Curry and obviously has the chops to carry an offense without Curry. Yes, sending out Kuminga, Podziemski and Moody thins out an already barren rotation. And they are still small (that's an understatement). But a main four of Curry, Ball, Butler and Green gives Golden State a fighting chance.
Ball's critics say he's an unserious basketball player with beyond questionable shot selection, among other bad habits. But the talent is undeniable. Would the Warriors championship pedigree squash those bad habits? It's a high risk, high reward gamble.
It would certainly cost Golden State some serious post-Curry draft capital. I'm not sure giving up an unprotected pick to both Charlotte and New Orleans would be enough but that's probably where the conversation starts.
Why Hornets say yes
The Hornets are League Pass darlings and legitimately frisky in Year 2 under Charles Lee. Kon Knueppel might win Rookie of the Year and Brandon Miller continues to show real glimpses. There's a lot to like.
Hornets fans would clamor that it's too soon to break up the Knueppel, Miller and Ball trio and they might be right. In limited run (231 minutes in 16 games), its been potent: 126.1 pts/100 possessions and a +9.4 net rating.
In a market long devoid of much star power, Ball remains one of the NBA's most bankable box office stars with young fans. That matters, perhaps more in Charlotte than anywhere else.
Here comes the but.
Ball's contract is massive, particularly for a player with no proven ability to lead a team to any sustained success. With the emergence of Knueppel and Miller, its clear they need the ball in their hands. Ball's undisciplined playing style doesn't exactly lend itself towards developing backcourt co-stars.
Most, if not all, Hornets fans will balk at any trade haul that does not include a prime young prospect or multiple prized picks, if not both.
Though Williamson is certainly not the can't-miss prospect he was coming out of Duke, he's a local product from just across the border in South Carolina, younger and a better positional fit alongside the rest of the roster. Williamson plus shooting gives Charlotte an identity and a chance to reset.
Rookie Will Richard won a national championship at Florida, fits the culture Lee is trying to instill and looks like rotation guard.
In this scenario, the Hornets also receive a 2028 unprotected Golden State pick. At some point the clock will strike midnight in the Bay and those future picks will hold immense value. You could just as easily ask for 2030 or perhaps even further.
Why Pelicans say yes
On Friday, Chris Haynes reported that New Orleans is informing teams it will not be trading Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Derik Queen or Jeremiah Fears ahead of the trade deadline.
I'm skeptical.
It's yet another lost season for the Pelicans who entered Friday in last place in the Western Conference. By far the most positive development is the play of Queen and Fears, who look like foundational pieces.
Remember, the new regime traded their unprotected 2026 first-round pick in order to move up for Queen in the 2025 draft. While they should be rightfully tarred and feathered for that careless asset management, at least Queen looks like a possible future All-Star.
It's been another roller coaster season for Williamson who has once again been in and out of the lineup. When healthy, he's capable of putting up massive numbers, but questions remain about his overall reliability.
If the franchise decides its simply time to get out of the Williamson business (and the $87 million they still owe him after this season), he remains their best opportunity to restock draft capital.
The Pelicans can get back into the first round via Golden State's 2026 pick. Similar to Charlotte, they could also for even in the form of future swaps.
Jonathan Kuminga is still just 23 years old. While the star ship may have sailed, there's still some untapped potential. They could either keep Moody and Podziemski or flip them for additional draft capital given both have the chops to play for almost any contender.
There's no question that a trade of this magnitude would require all three teams taking long looks in the mirror and deciding that now is the time to act. And while all three would be taking risks, albeit for different reasons, this trade presents a clearly defined path forward.
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