TL;DR
- Golden State Warriors struggle with low-post production, Al Horford underperforming significantly this season.
- Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis identified as a potential trade target for the Warriors.
- Sabonis faces injury concerns but remains a high-value asset for teams seeking a star player.
- Acquiring Sabonis could help Warriors contend for a title and ease offensive pressure on Stephen Curry.
The Golden State Warriors are struggling from a low-post production standpoint this season.
The acquisition of Al Horford prior to the regular season's commencement was intended to provide the franchise with immediate frontcourt steadiness.
Yet, the seasoned ex-Boston Celtics NBA title-winning center hasn't performed as expected, averaging just 5.8 points and 4.3 assists, with a field goal percentage of 34.3% and 32% from beyond the arc.
The Dubs might be fortunate enough to escape their frontcourt struggles, as Sports Illustrated's Blake Silverman recently identified Sacramento Kings star forward Domantas Sabonis as a potential potential trade suitor for the team.
“Another Western Conference basement dweller who could go all in on a rebuild, the Kings could deal their high-earning veterans to gain financial flexibility as they look ahead,” Silverman wrote Thursday.
“Domantas Sabonis should return the most value on the trade market, although the major win would be clearing the $45-plus million salary from Sacramento’s books over the next two seasons.”
“A potential Sabonis trade may have gotten more tricky with the news of his partially torn left meniscus, which will cause him to miss three-to-four to four weeks. Nevertheless, the three-time All-Star and the NBA’s rebounding leader in the past three seasons should garner interest during the trade season for a team looking to add a star.”
“ Potential trade suitors: Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons.”
Ten years into his NBA journey, Sabonis faces a difficult situation. As Sacramento's most skilled big man, the Gonzaga alum is expected to maintain that status throughout his tenure with The Kings.
Beyond a remarkable 2023 postseason performance where the Kings pushed the Warriors to seven games, Sabonis has experienced limited playoff victories with Sacramento since his 2022 arrival, and it's improbable he'll see significant postseason success soon given the team's present roster makeup.
While the Warriors' organization has changed from its former glory, it's undeniable that acquiring Sabonis would offer the versatile big man an opportunity to contend for a title and also alleviate some of the offensive pressure on Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
This tall, 6-foot-10 left-handed player is putting up averages of 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the 3-13 Kings, who are having a tough season.
Should the Warriors become genuinely tired of Horford's inconsistent performance, they might look to acquire Sabonis from The Kings sooner rather than later.
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