Despite Golden State Warriors’ recent acquisition of Dennis Schroder, it’s become clear that their roster still isn’t sufficient to make a legitimate push for the championship. If the Warriors are truly intent on maximizing the remaining prime years of their superstar, Steph Curry, they must make another move to secure an All-Star caliber player. Simply put, the current roster isn’t enough to compete at the highest level, especially in a league that is becoming increasingly competitive.
Over the course of this season, fans have been eagerly discussing potential trade targets, and a number of names have surfaced as potential fits for the Warriors. Among the most frequently mentioned players are Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Vucevic, and even Zion Williamson. While it’s easy to see why these names are appealing to the Warriors, not all of them are realistic options. One name that should definitely be ruled out is Zion Williamson.
Marc Spears, a well-respected NBA insider, recently shed some light on the Warriors’ lack of interest in the New Orleans Pelicans’ superstar. According to Spears, the Warriors are not keeping tabs on Zion Williamson, a claim that could significantly impact the team’s trade strategy moving forward.
“I also did hear that Zion’s not on the [Warriors] radar,” Spears stated. “Which, I know others might feel differently, but probably a good thing. Because with Zion, you just don’t know what you’re going to get and when he’s going to be healthy, and his [salary cap] number’s rather high as well. I just think the Warriors in the end will get someone in a very creative way. They actually have to.”
While the prospect of adding Zion Williamson to the roster might seem tempting, it would be a very high-risk move for a franchise that already has one of the best players of all time in Curry, and that’s striving to make another championship run in the near future. Yes, Zion would undoubtedly bring an electrifying presence to the court, potentially reinvigorating the Warriors’ fanbase and giving the team a dynamic forward to pair with Curry. However, the risks associated with his addition outweigh the rewards.
First and foremost, Zion’s injury history has been well-documented, and it’s a major concern for any team considering a trade. Over the course of his career, Williamson has missed a significant amount of time due to various injuries. The Warriors, already a team heavily reliant on their aging superstar, cannot afford to take on a player who might spend more time sidelined than on the court. In an ideal scenario, they need a player who is not only talented but also dependable, and right now, Zion does not fit that description.
Additionally, there’s the matter of Zion’s health, or rather, the unpredictability of it. In the high-intensity world of the NBA, where players are constantly under pressure to perform at their best, it’s hard to trust a player who has shown such a high level of fragility. Williamson’s physical condition has led to doubts about his long-term viability as a cornerstone player. The Warriors, who are in the business of winning now, need to focus on acquiring players who can contribute consistently, not ones who might be unavailable for extended periods.
Another point that works against Zion is his recent behavior and disciplinary issues. Just recently, Williamson was handed a one-game suspension for repeated tardiness. This suspension, though seemingly minor, speaks volumes about his current maturity and readiness to lead a team. For a franchise like the Warriors, which has prided itself on professionalism and team chemistry, this could be a red flag. The Warriors already have enough challenges to contend with in their pursuit of another title; they can ill afford to take on a player who is not fully committed to his responsibilities.
Furthermore, Zion’s salary also poses a significant concern for the Warriors. The team is already dealing with a high payroll, and adding Zion’s hefty contract could severely limit their financial flexibility. The Warriors are already committed to several significant contracts, most notably Curry’s massive extension, as well as the contracts of Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Adding Zion to the mix could put the team’s salary cap in a precarious position, making it even more difficult to make other moves or maintain their depth. This financial burden could ultimately hinder the Warriors’ ability to build a well-rounded team around their core players.
The combination of injury concerns, questionable behavior, and financial limitations makes Zion a much less attractive option for the Warriors. As much as he would be an exciting addition to any team, the risks involved in acquiring him make it seem unlikely that Golden State would entertain such a move.
Looking at the Warriors’ current needs, it seems far more probable that they would target a player who fills a different gap on their roster—specifically, a center. The Warriors have been in search of a reliable big man for some time now, and this position is more of an immediate need compared to adding another forward or guard. With their current roster, the Warriors’ frontcourt has been a point of weakness, and acquiring a quality center could be the piece that puts them over the top.
While fans have thrown around various trade ideas involving guards and forwards, it seems clear that the Warriors’ front office is focusing on adding a big man rather than making a move for another perimeter player. This makes sense given that Curry, Thompson, and Green already form the heart of the Warriors’ core, and adding another playmaking guard or forward might not be the best solution to their problems. A center could provide the size, rebounding, and interior defense the team needs to contend with the league’s more physical teams.
If the Warriors are to pull off a trade, it would likely be a deal that brings in a center who can contribute immediately, either as a starter or in a rotational role. Given the team’s financial constraints, it would also need to be a creative trade, one that might involve several players and draft picks to balance the cap and meet the Warriors’ needs. This sort of move would align better with the Warriors’ current roster construction, ensuring that the team can remain competitive while filling the gaps in their lineup.
While players like LaVine, Butler, and Vucevic may still be plausible targets for the Warriors, Zion Williamson is a different case altogether. The potential risks associated with bringing him into the fold are simply too great for a team in the Warriors’ position. The Warriors need a reliable, healthy contributor who can complement Curry’s greatness and help the team secure another championship. As exciting as Zion might be in a theoretical sense, he doesn’t provide the stability the Warriors need at this juncture.
To sum up, while the Warriors’ current roster is talented, it is still missing a few key pieces. In order to truly maximize the remaining years of Steph Curry’s career, the Warriors must make another trade for an All-Star caliber player. However, Zion Williamson should not be on their radar. The risks associated with his injury history, recent behavior, and high salary make him a poor fit for the Warriors. Instead, the team should focus on targeting a center to fill their biggest need and pursue a more reliable, consistent option. If they can pull off a trade to bolster their frontcourt, the Warriors will be in a much stronger position to compete for another title.