Every NBA team has to set its own standard for success. They won’t all be the same. Every team can’t compete for the title in a given season. Some will be content with a mere playoff berth.
The Golden State Warriors have set a high bar for themselves. This organization has been on a dynastic run for a decade. They won’t be content with a playoff appearance in 2023-24. The Warriors will have title aspirations.
The Indiana Pacers will not. If this team won the NBA championship, it would come as a shock. Still, the Pacers will be hoping to take a step forward next season. In order to do so, they could look to acquire a wing. Could the Warriors send him Andrew Wiggins?
The Trade Proposal
Golden State Warriors Receive: G TJ McConnell, F/C Daniel Theis, F/C Jalen Smith, 2025 First-Round Pick (IND), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – GSW)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Andrew Wiggins
With that said, a team’s standard changes over time. The Warriors were not always perennial title contenders. Throughout the 1990s, they were mostly among the league’s bottom-feeders.
Think about the 2006-07 “We Believe” Warriors. This was one of the most popular teams in franchise history to that point. There’s a reason for that. Nobody expected the Warriors to win an NBA title that year. The mere fact that they fielded a competitive roster was cause for celebration.
Eventually, the Warriors would break through and form a dynasty. By contrast, the Pacers are still waiting for their breakthrough. This organization hasn’t had a title run in its entire history. Does this deal get them one step closer?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Sure it does. The Pacers have been linked to wings all summer. We’ve seen speculation that they could acquire Pascal Siakam, and Tobias Harris as well. With that said, those are 4s, and Wiggins is more of a 3. Is this a good fit?
We think so. For what it’s worth, the Pacers already acquired two 4s this summer. Jarace Walker is unlikely to be a major win-now contributor as a rookie, but he could be a quality reserve. Meanwhile, the Pacers are hoping Obi Toppin breaks out in his first year with the club. Between the two, they might be set at that position.
On the other hand, they could use a 3-and-D wing. Wiggins has developed into one of the best in the NBA. Sure, he could marginalize Bennedict Mathurin. With that said, until the talented sophomore learns to score more efficiently, he may be best in a sixth-man capacity anyway. Should the Warriors send the Pacers one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
The Warriors are a dynasty. With that said, all dynasties eventually come to an end. This team could be approaching the conclusion of this dynastic run. This roster is getting prohibitively expensive, and quickly.
So, the Warriors make this deal with some financial motives in mind. They’re breaking Wiggins’ deal down into three significantly more manageable pacts. Still, Wiggins is too valuable to salary dump. The Warriors need to get more than cash considerations for his services. In this deal, they do.
Most notably, they’re landing an unprotected first-round pick and a swap. Those are valuable, cost-controlled assets. Still, each of the players that Golden State are landing here should crack their rotation. In other words, they could help the Warriors sustain their high bar for success.
