The Golden State Warriors fell short of winning the championship this season, being eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers. The franchise clearly understood that changes had to be made for the team to continue competing during the Stephen Curry era, as evidenced by the Chris Paul trade.
Perhaps another trade is in order. The Golden State Warriors had issues defensively last season, with their defensive rating being 17th in the league, at 114.4. Steve Kerr’s teams have always focused on defense, and perhaps adding a rim-protecting big man can help them improve on that end of the floor. A suitable target would be Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner. Here is a potential trade framework that sends Turner to the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Jonathan Kuminga, 2028 First-Round Pick (GSW)
This could definitely be an intriguing trade from the Warriors’ standpoint. They would have to give up some depth, but the upside for the team could be immense. Here is why both teams should consider making this deal.
The Golden State Warriors Add A Big Man That Is A Perfect Fit In Their System
Though shooting among big men is more common today, there are still only a few centers that can truly be considered as a “stretch 5”. One of those players is Myles Turner who has always had shooting ability but took another step forward in that area. This season, Myles Turner averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, while shooting 37.3% from the 3PT range on 4.0 attempts. In theory, Myles Turner should be the perfect fit for the Golden State Warriors on both ends of the floor.
On the offensive side of the ball, Myles Turner can be an effective pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop player. He will also get a lot of open 3PT shots from Stephen Curry’s gravity which means his efficiency could increase even further. On the defensive end, the Golden State Warriors would have one of the best defensive frontcourts in the league if they paired Turner with Draymond Green. This frontcourt would be elite at rim protection and could help cover for Klay Thompson’s declining perimeter defense. Overall, Myles Turner is the perfect player to help the Golden State Warriors win another championship.
In this trade scenario, the Golden State Warriors would have to give up Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, and Jonathan Kuminga from a player standpoint. Jonathan Kuminga would be the centerpiece of this deal, and though he hasn’t gotten many opportunities with the Warriors as a starter, the flashes he has shown are undeniable. While giving up some of the team’s future hurts, it is clear that the team’s priority is to win while Stephen Curry is still a superstar-level player. This trade for Myles Turner aligns with that goal.
The Indiana Pacers Get A Solid Trade Package For Their Center
The Indiana Pacers are currently in a rebuilding process, and it makes sense for the team to try and acquire future assets that will help them win a few years from now. This trade would land them an elite prospect that could eventually develop into a star-level player with opportunity.
Jonathan Kuminga averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last season for the Golden State Warriors while shooting 37.0% from 3PT range. He has shown glimpses of how good he can be as a focal point before, and his athleticism makes him an elite slasher. As a pick-and-roll target for Tyrese Haliburton, Jonathan Kuminga would get plenty of easy opportunities at the rim as well, and his game suggests that he would be a good fit for the Indiana Pacers. The team also has plenty of 3PT shooters that can help him space the floor.
The two veterans in this deal are Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney. Both are solid defenders and would mostly be in the deal to make the salary work for Myles Turner’s contract. Still, they will have value on the court as role players, and could potentially be traded later on so the team can acquire draft picks or young players. On top of the players in this deal, the Pacers would also receive a first-round pick as draft compensation.
Overall, this deal is about the Indiana Pacers acquiring Jonathan Kuminga and adding him to their young core. They would also get some other supplementary pieces that could help them in a variety of ways. The Pacers are not close to being a competitive team right now, and development should be the priority currently.
This Could Be An Intriguing Deal For Both Teams
There is no doubt that this trade could potentially have an upside for both teams. The Golden State Warriors would add another win-now veteran that can thrive in his role, while also improving their overall defense due to Myles Turner’s rim protection. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers would get a solid value package for one of their key players and would add an elite prospect and draft compensation.
The Warriors won a championship in 2022, and they have the talent to win once again. However, this deal could really give them a difference-making player who is seemingly a perfect fit with how they play overall. The Warriors have always thrived when playing team basketball in their system, and Myles Turner would definitely enhance how they play on both ends of the floor.
It remains to be seen if the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers will ever come together on a deal with this framework. This could be a solid proposition for both sides, and we’ll see what ends up happening in the future.
