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Are the Warriors targeting Nikola Vucevic?

Nikola Vucevic Warriors
(Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images)

Are the Warriors targeting Nikola Vucevic?

We are nearly one month away from the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and the Golden State Warriors have been in free fall after their hot start to begin the 2024-25 season.

The Warriors are losers of 13 of their last 19 games, even though they have won three of their last four over the reeling Phoenix Suns, struggling Philadelphia 76ers and injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies. They are 18-16, good enough for No. 8 in a deep West, and have been looking for another co-star alongside Stephen Curry since the summer.

The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Marcus Thompson II and Sam Amick reported Saturday that the individual likely won’t be Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler, who requested a trade away from the organization last week. Instead, they’ve reportedly turned their eyes to quality players on smaller contracts, including one notable big man in the Midwest.

Nikola Vučević has actually emerged as the more discussed Warriors’ trade target, according to team and league sources,” the report read. “The front office and coaching staff have acknowledged back to training camp this team’s need for a true stretch center, something Curry has never really had. … In theory, he’d get protected on defense by Green, while opening up offensive space for Curry, Wiggins and Kuminga.

“The price tag also matters. Vučević makes $20 million this season and $21.4 million next season. The Warriors have several small-scale contracts that could get to his number — while sticking below that first apron and not gutting the top-end of their rotation. Gary Payton II is on a $9.1 million expiring. Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson are at $8.7 million. Kevon Looney is at $8 million flat. … Players like Vučević or Johnson don’t arrive with nearly the upside as Butler, who has done it as an alpha on the biggest playoff stage. Perhaps passing on Butler means giving up even the tiniest sliver of probability remaining that this Warriors core could enter the realistic title mix this season.

“But there’s a heavy amount of current and future risk and, while maintaining they still want to be competitive in Curry’s fading years, it’s clear the front office and ownership group is protective of the seasons beyond Curry, Green and Kerr.”

If the Warriors aren’t going after Butler, Vucevic isn’t the worst consolation price since they do need help in the frontcourt outside of second-year big Trayce Jackson-Davis. Though I would be interested to see how that looks because I’m not sure if you can functionally start Jackson-Davis and Vucevic together. Does the latter stunt Jackson-Davis’ growth? Can you afford to pay a 34-year-old big man over $20 million per season if he’s not starting? These are questions–among others–that must be asked.

If he was their target, Looney would have to go back in the deal because it would be difficult paying over $30 million this year to three different bigs. Vucevic is having the most efficient season of his career, averaging 20.4 points and 10.1 rebounds on 55.8 percent shooting and 43.6 percent from 3-point range.

Vucevic has also benefitted mightily as a trail big in Chicago’s new fast-paced offense. The Warriors are just outside the top 10 in pace, and the fit alongside Green and Curry would be quite fascinating since Kerr has historically leaned into more small-ball groupings alongside those two.

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