Golden State Warriors Could Pursue This Major Draft Trade

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There have been reports about the possibility of the Golden State Warriors using a player like Jonathan Kuminga in a trade that moves them up in the 2023 NBA Draft. During a recent podcast episode, NBA insider Jake Fischer said the Warriors could be looking to move up even further than the 10th pick in the draft.
"If the Warriors are going to move up, with Jonathan Kuminga, it's going to be a little bit higher than [#10]."
— The Trade Deadline (@_TradeDeadline) June 20, 2023
“From who I’ve been told Golden State is targeting there, I don’t think that player will be available at #10.”
(via @JakeLFischer on @KevinGraySports) pic.twitter.com/YZIw7Dzgfw
This would be a major trade if the Warriors were to move up even higher than 10th, but according to Fischer, the player Golden State would be targeting in this move is not likely to be available at the 10th pick. If this is true, it begins adding some clarity as to why the Warriors would be open to moving one young and inexperienced player for an even younger and more inexperienced rookie.
It's no secret that the Warriors have been attempting to thread the needle on their nearly impossible two-timeline plan. Golden State won a title in 2022 despite this approach, but last year's roster really felt the impact of ownership refusing to go all-in on win-now pieces. With a player like Kuminga reportedly growing unhappy with his inconsistent role, a move may be necessary if there is no direct path to increased minutes next season.
If a Kuminga trade could bring back another high-level prospect who the Warriors consider more ready to contribute to winning basketball, while also being more willing to handle the odd dynamic of being a lottery pick on a contending team, then a move makes even more sense. Is that the type of player the Warriors are reportedly looking to move up for? It's a complicated dynamic, but there have now been several reports about the possibility of the Warriors making a major draft trade.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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