In a loaded Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors need to get better.
After losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals (without Steph Curry), it's obvious the Warriors are going to need a few more pieces to compete with the likes of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets.
Despite that, Golden State has yet to make an acquisition this offseason, thanks to the ongoing restricted free agency of forward Jonathan Kuminga. Once that resolves itself, the Warriors are expected to make a flurry of signings and possibly even a few trades.
Trayce Jackson-Davis Named as Trade Candidate for Warriors
If Golden State wants to build a contending team, they will have to part ways with some of their young assets to get better in the short term. That could include young big man Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports recently put together a list of players the Warriors could trade to put together a contending team around Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, and that list included the 25-year-old Jackson-Davis.
"While the Warriors are in desperate need of frontcourt depth, Trayce Jackson-Davis could be another player they could listen to offers for this season. After his successful rookie season, Jackson-Davis saw his minutes cut last season in favor of Quinten Post, which led to his production taking a hit." Wrote Holloway.
"Now with his role in Kerr’s rotation uncertain, especially if the Warriors sign Al Horford in free agency, the Warriors could look to move him to a new team this season and possibly use him in a trade package to land another key frontcourt piece."
With Quinten Post and the possibility of Al Horford joining the team, TJD has been made expendable, and could be a valuable asset in trade talks.
The bottom line is the Warriors need to improve their team now, and considering Curry is already in the twilight of his storied NBA career, they owe it to him to sacrifice the team's long-term future for short-term success.