The Warriors stood pat at Thursday's NBA trade deadline and then proceeded to get bullied by the New York Knicks in a 116-114 loss at Chase Center.
With Draymond Green and James Wiseman both out, the Warriors have had trouble rebounding of late. That trouble on the glass and their lack of depth in the frontcourt led many to wonder if Golden State would make a move for a rotation big at the deadline. Bob Myers didn't pull the trigger, and now the Warriors will have to look to the buyout market if they want to improve their depth at center.
While a buyout market move is unlikely, Myers didn't rule it out during his pre-deadline press conference. He did, however, note that the Warriors like their current 15 players and it likely would take a special circumstance for them to hit the buyout market.
“If there’s an injury or we get different information that would change our approach to the buyout, if there’s something so good that we couldn’t pass it up,” Myers said. “But again, we’re lucky that we think all 15 guys have value in different ways for this team. So it takes something more than just ‘so and so is available and we might as well.’ I don't think we’ll take that approach. I think we’d be a little more cautious and we’d focus a little more on who we’re adding and why than we might have in years past because we think we have 15 that could help us.”
Klay Thompson also was quick to note Thursday that getting Green and Wiseman back will help the Warriors' rebounding issues.
"We're missing Draymond, who is an incredible and tenacious rebounder," Thompson said. "People forget we have James Wiseman. He's going to help us so much on the glass. That right there will be huge for us."
The buyout market also isn't expected to be teeming with playoff-rotation-caliber bigs. A quick glance around the NBA shows only a handful of players the Warriors might entertain signing should they be bought out.
Golden State Warriors
Robin Lopez
This is the Warriors' best option and likely the only one they would realistically jump at.
Lopez, 33, is averaging 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for the Orlando Magic. He still plays good enough defense to make a postseason rotation and it has been known the Warriors have been interested in him in the past.
If Orlando does let Lopez go, the Milwaukee Bucks are another team that could be interested in signing Lopez.
Tristan Thompson
Thompson was traded from the Kings to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. While Indiana could use Thompson as a backup center behind Myles Turner, it's likely the veteran big man asks to be bought out to join a contender.
This season, Thompson is averaging 6.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. He still is a decent bench big who can hit the glass and bang on the inside.
The Los Angeles Lakers could be an option for Thompson, but the Warriors could be interested.
DeAndre Jordan
Jordan has been basically unplayable for the last few seasons and the Lakers are expected to let him go to search for a replacement.
The 33-year-old never recaptured the physicality and athleticism that made him one of the NBA's top centers as a staple of the Lob City Clippers. He is averaging 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
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Paul Millsap
Millsap was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday as part of the James Harden-Ben Simmons blockbuster.
Millsap didn't do much for the Nets and Brooklyn spent months trying to find a new home for him. They finally found a taker in the 76ers, but expect Philadelphia to buy out the 37-year-old.
The Lakers are seen as a potential destination for Millsap.
It's almost certainly a no for the Warriors.
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