The Golden State Warriors are a team whose priority is to win during the Stephen Curry timeline. The team has already made one move this summer by trading Jordan Poole for Chris Paul, and it is quite possible that more moves are on the way for the team.
One thing that the Warriors have always valued during their dynastic run is multi-positional defenders, as their team frequently turns to small ball lineups at the end of games. There are definitely players under that category that the team could trade for that improve their overall roster, such as Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. The team clearly could use a player with his skill set. Here is a potential trade scenario.
Golden State Warriors Receive: OG Anunoby
Toronto Raptors Receive: Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody
This would be a clear win-now move from the Golden State Warriors. They would be trading a number of their young players for a veteran who is more of a proven player. Here is how this move makes sense for both the Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.
The Golden State Warriors Land A Two-Way Forward
As long as Stephen Curry is playing at a high level, the Golden State Warriors will be a contending team. The key is surrounding him with complementary players who can defend at a high level and provide some sort of supplementary offense. OG Anunoby is a forward who doesn’t necessarily need a lot of touches to be successful and is the quintessential 3 and D player for today’s game.
This past season, OG Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and can effectively guard all five positions. Anunoby is also a quality 3PT shooter, averaging 38.7% from the 3PT range on 5.5 attempts per game. There is no doubt that his defense will help the Warriors, and having another elite perimeter next to Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green could mean that the Warriors end up with the best defense in the league.
Though trading both Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody will hurt the Golden State Warriors in the future, it is quite possible that this is the best move for the Warriors. The team doesn’t have time for Kuminga and Moody to fulfill their potential and become the sort of stars/elite role players that their draft position suggests. The team has a limited window, and it is unlikely that Kuminga and Moody will become the sort of superstars that can lead the team in the post-Stephen Curry era. OG Anunoby is a player who fits well on the team and can be acquired due to his contract situation, and getting him at the cost listed in this trade scenario is a no-brainer for the Golden State Warriors.
The Toronto Raptors Get Solid Prospects For A Player That Can Leave In 2024 Free Agency
There is no doubt that the Toronto Raptors are in a transitional period right now. They already lost Fred VanVleet this summer to the Houston Rockets and could lose Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby at the end of the 2023-24 season. Technically, OG Anunoby has a $19.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season, but he is unlikely to exercise it as it makes more sense for him to get a long-term deal with more guaranteed money. If the Toronto Raptors feel as though OG Anunoby is unwilling to re-sign with the franchise long-term, then the prudent move is to trade him.
In this trade scenario, the key for the Toronto Raptors will be to land Jonathan Kuminga. It makes a lot of sense for the team to take a swing at a high-ceiling prospect, as Kuminga has shown insane flashes when given the opportunity. He is an elite athlete who slashes to the rim well, and perhaps he can do more when allowed to have more freedom on the offensive end.
Moses Moody is a lower-ceiling prospect than Jonathan Kuminga, but he has an easier pathway to develop into a consistent role player. Moody is already a good 3PT shooter, averaging 36.3% for his career, and is often willing and able to play off the ball. That should make him a good fit with Scottie Barnes who is a playmaking forward, and with the Toronto Raptors development system, he should be able to become a serviceable 3 and D player.
Gary Payton II would be included in the deal for salary-matching purposes, but he is a great perimeter defender with championship experience. He could potentially play a leadership role in the rebuilding Toronto Raptors, but if he is unwilling to stay with the franchise long-term, they could move him in another deal.
This offer from the Golden State Warriors would potentially be one of the best offers on the table for OG Anunoby. The Raptors would be foolish not to take this deal if Anunoby is unwilling to commit to the team long-term, and this could help them kickstart their rebuild.
This Trade Could End Up Being A Win-Win Move
There is no doubt that this trade could end up being a solid move for both the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors would get a win-now forward who can help them win a championship immediately, while the Raptors would be able to add some prospects to develop next to Scottie Barnes.
It remains to be seen if this trade scenario is something that both teams will consider in the future. This seems like a relatively realistic trade, that fits what each team wants as of right now. Of course, things could change in the future but currently, this move should work for both franchises.