Rаnking 3 Golden Stаte Wаrriors trаde tаrgets from no brаiner to рotential dіsaster

With the NBA trade deadline just a couple of days away, speculation continues to heat up around the league. For a team like the Golden State Warriors, the period forecasts as an important one for the short and long-term future.

The Warriors have to navigate their ambition of trying to elevate into the playoff picture in the Western Conference, while also being mindful of their cap situation amid the introduction of the NBA’s second-tax apron.

There’s a number of players the Golden State Warriors could target before the deadline, with each come with varying levels of risk factor

Just a few weeks ago it appeared as if Golden State were ready to make a significant move, yet that now appears unlikely given the lack of big-name players available and the improvement in a new-found starting lineup.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania described the Warriors’ situation as a wait-and-see on Monday, with teams still potentially holding interest in Andrew Wiggins and Chris Paul among others.

If Golden State do make a move, it’s likely to be towards the lower portion of the rotation rather than for a starting-calibre player. There’s still various risk factors associated with that, largely with what future assets the franchise needs to give up and the contractual situation of the incoming player.

Fans will be left frustrated if the team stands pat — there’s a general consensus that the Warriors need to something, even if it’s not as notable as previously hypothesized. Golden State remains stuck at 12th in the Western Conference with a 22-25 record.

Let’s rank three Warrior trade targets from a no-brainer to potential disaster for the franchise:

No Brainer: Alex Caruso

Alex Caruso has always been an intriguing thought for not only the Warriors, but a number of veteran contending teams who want to add a do-it-all guard capable of fitting almost any NBA system.

According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Warriors kicked the tyres on Caruso in recent days as the Chicago Bulls struggle themselves at a 23-27 record and ninth-place in the Eastern Conference.

Although the Bulls reportedly remain unwilling to part with Caruso, he would nonetheless be a no-brainer move for Golden State. Sure, it might take an overpay to get him, but they’d almost certainly be getting a winning player that would instantly increase their playoff credentials.

The 29-year-old has averaged 10 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season, shooting 40.5% from three-point range while providing elite perimeter on the other end. Caruso makes just $9.5 million this season a partially-guaranteed $9.9 million next season, proving one of the most team-friendly deals in the league.

While there may be some overlap with Gary Payton II given the pair’s defensive capacity, the 31-year-old’s health over the last two seasons has begun to become a major question mark. Regardless, Caruso would be a major upgrade and a ‘no-brainer’ deal for the Warriors so long as the price is close enough to reasonable.

Wait-and-see: Nic Claxton

While the frontcourt trio of Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green have yielded positive results since the latter’s return, Golden State’s lack of size has still been exposed at times over recent games.

Kevon Looney has been reduced to nothing more than a bit-part piece in the rotation, and head coach Steve Kerr seemingly refuses to trust Trayce Jackson-Davis despite the rookie’s impressive play at times this season.

Golden State needs another alternative, one that Kerr can trust for significant minutes. Green may still be the primary center, yet not all of his minutes should come at the five-spot. The answer — what about Nic Claxton?

The Warriors got a perfect illustration of the young center’s ability when he went for 15 points, five rebounds and an eye-catching seven blocks, before being ejected for a hit on Brandin Podziemski in Golden State’s visit to Barclays Center on Monday. Although the Brooklyn Nets value Claxton incredibly highly, his pending free agency makes him a name to monitor over the next 48 hours.

That’s what would make Claxton a wait-and-see, rather than necessarily a no-brainer. Giving up anything of significant value would almost force the Warriors into committing long-term money to Claxton in free agency, likely something upward of $80 million over four years.

With the contractual situations of Klay Thompson and Chris Paul up in the air, and potential rookie extensions for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, adding Claxton to the mix would further complicate Golden State’s free agency plans.

There’s also the chance that the Warriors get outbid for Claxton in free agency — it would be a disaster if he were to leave for nothing just months after the franchise gave up assets for him at the deadline.

If Golden State can get Claxton in a fair-value trade and then re-sign him in on a reasonable deal in free agency, then great. That’s a wait-and-see situation though on a player who’s far from a star.