Warriors Predicted to Deal NBA Champions to Thunder, Hornets in Wild Four-Team Trade

In what could be one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to orchestrate a wild four-team trade that would send their championship core to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets. The deal, if executed, would shake up the NBA landscape, with cascading effects on both the Western and Eastern Conferences.

The Premise: A Massive Shake-up for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors, the team synonymous with a decade of dominance, are in the midst of a transitional period. After winning four NBA championships in the last decade, the Warriors are now facing the reality of an aging core. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson have been at the heart of the Warriors’ success, but they are all nearing the twilight of their careers.

While the team remains competitive, the Warriors are faced with the challenge of balancing the pursuit of another championship with the need to rebuild for the future. This trade proposal offers a potential path forward, one that would involve sending the franchise’s stars to new homes and acquiring a mix of young talent and draft picks.

The Four-Team Deal: A Complex Web

The rumored trade proposal involves four teams: the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets, and a fourth team (possibly the Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, or another suitor, depending on further reporting). Here’s a breakdown of the players and assets potentially involved.

Golden State Warriors Outgoing:

• Stephen Curry – The face of the Warriors and arguably the best shooter in NBA history, Curry’s leadership and unparalleled shooting ability make him one of the most coveted assets in basketball.
• Klay Thompson – One of the best two-way players of his era, Klay is a sharpshooter who has returned to form after injuries but is no longer the elite defender he once was.
• Draymond Green – The defensive anchor and emotional leader of the Warriors, Green is known for his versatility, basketball IQ, and ability to impact games in a variety of ways, despite his declining shooting ability.

The Warriors would likely also include a mix of future draft picks, such as a 2024 or 2026 first-round pick, as well as possibly a younger player like Moses Moody or Jonathan Kuminga, to make the deal even more appealing to the other teams involved.

Oklahoma City Thunder Incoming:

• Stephen Curry – The centerpiece of this trade, Curry would immediately transform the Thunder into legitimate contenders. Pairing him with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a blossoming superstar in his own right, would give Oklahoma City one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA.
• Klay Thompson – Although Thompson has had injury concerns in recent seasons, he still remains an elite shooter. On a team with a growing talent base, Thompson could offer a veteran presence and the kind of experience that could help a young team like the Thunder reach the next level.
• Draymond Green – Green would be a perfect fit with the Thunder’s young, talented roster. His defense, leadership, and passing could provide a stabilizing force for Oklahoma City, helping mentor their young players and be a key part of their defensive scheme.

The Thunder would likely need to give up a combination of assets to make this trade feasible, including:

• Multiple future first-round picks – The Thunder have an abundance of draft picks due to previous trades, including a treasure trove of unprotected selections, making them one of the most flexible teams when it comes to adding talent.
• A young player like Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren – Holmgren, in particular, is an intriguing piece who could be involved in a deal for veterans, though the Thunder may be reluctant to part with their prized 2022 draft pick unless absolutely necessary.

Charlotte Hornets Incoming:

• Draymond Green – The Hornets have long sought a player who can help stabilize their defense, and Green would fit that need. Pairing him with LaMelo Ball could give Charlotte a versatile, switchable defense to complement their exciting offense.

The Hornets, like the Thunder, would likely give up a combination of future assets and young talent to make this deal work. Potential assets could include:

• A 2024 or 2025 first-round pick – As a team in the midst of a rebuild, the Hornets are likely to part with future picks to acquire proven stars.
• Young players like James Bouknight or P.J. Washington – The Hornets have a handful of talented players on rookie contracts who could be included in the trade.

The Fourth Team: What Are They Looking For?

While the specifics of the fourth team’s involvement are not entirely clear, they would be able to extract valuable assets from the Warriors or Thunder, possibly in the form of draft picks, cap relief, or even young talent. A team like the Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, might be willing to offer a solid role player (such as Caris LeVert or Jarrett Allen) in exchange for future picks or a young prospect. Similarly, a team like the Washington Wizards could move a player like Kristaps Porzingis in a deal that opens up their long-term rebuilding options.

Why This Trade Makes Sense

On the surface, this trade might seem like a blow to the Warriors’ championship aspirations, but when considering their current state, it could be the right move for a number of reasons.

1. Maximizing the value of aging stars: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all have immense value in the market. The Warriors have a chance to cash in on that value now, rather than wait for it to diminish over time. Moving them to teams with different needs could bring in a treasure trove of assets that accelerates the Warriors’ rebuilding process.
2. Building for the future: With a package of young players, draft picks, and potentially veteran players, the Warriors could rapidly rebuild around a new core. Players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are still developing, and bringing in top-tier picks could help them build a team that is competitive in the future while potentially contending in the present if the right moves are made.
3. Oklahoma City’s All-in Move: For the Thunder, this trade would be their way of signaling that they are ready to compete now. After years of rebuilding and stockpiling young talent, they would finally have the kind of veteran leadership and superstar power to contend in the Western Conference. Curry would elevate the team’s offense, while Thompson and Green would provide championship experience and defensive grit to complement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance.
4. Charlotte’s New Direction: The Hornets, while not in the same position as Oklahoma City in terms of readiness to contend, could see significant value in acquiring a leader like Draymond Green. Adding an experienced and versatile defender to their roster would give them a steady hand as they continue their rebuild around LaMelo Ball. Green’s ability to defend, pass, and anchor the defense would instantly make the Hornets more competitive in the Eastern Conference.

Potential Concerns and Complications

While this trade could bring a lot of benefits for all parties involved, there are several challenges and potential complications:

• Team Chemistry: The Warriors’ Big Three has been together for nearly a decade, and breaking them up could disrupt the team’s culture. The leadership and continuity of Curry, Thompson, and Green have been crucial to their success, and moving all three of them at once could be a risky proposition.
• Oklahoma City’s Patience: The Thunder have been incredibly patient in their rebuild, and making a trade for aging stars could disrupt their long-term strategy. Giving up young assets and picks for veterans might be seen as a shift in philosophy that could backfire if the team doesn’t immediately succeed.
• Charlotte’s Cap Space: The Hornets are already dealing with salary cap issues, and adding Green’s contract could create complications down the road. They’d have to be sure that Green would be the right fit to justify the financial commitment.

The Impact on the League

If this trade were to go through, it would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the NBA. The Warriors, after years of dominance, would enter a new phase of their existence, possibly as a rebuilding or retooling team focused on the future. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, would instantly become a major contender in the West, while Charlotte would look to rebuild with a veteran leader.

For the other teams involved, the trade could reshape their identities and competitive windows, with long-term effects on the league as a whole.