Warriors are boosted by Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and depth pieces as the trade deadline approaches.

Warriors are boosted by Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and depth pieces as the trade deadline approaches.

Live coverage of the NBA trade deadline in 2024 can be found on The Athletic. For updates, keep checking back.

PHILADELPHIA: Following review, Stephen Curry’s lone made shot in the first half on Wednesday night was dismissed. Authorities concluded that he kicked out his leg on a 3. After two quarters, Curry had only two points and four turnovers due to the call that was changed to an offensive foul.

 

A road-based Curry stat line like that would almost always spell danger for the Golden State Warriors, who are currently ranked 11th and still very much in his orbit. However, given the depth surrounding him, it was really a minor incident in what turned out to be a resounding victory.

 

 

Despite an unimpressive Curry at the half, the Warriors led by three points at the break and crushed the Philadelphia 76ers 127-104. Curry rested the entire fourth quarter, getting much-needed rest before a fast turnaround back-to-back in Indianapolis on Thursday to finish the road trip.

 

 

 

But before to that game, there is NBA business to attend to. At 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, the trade deadline is set. Back in San Francisco, the front office is mulling over several potential trades. Given who played so brilliantly, such timing lends even more mystery to the entire Philadelphia performance.

 

 

 

Following a recent foot injury, Andrew Wiggins made a comeback, scoring 21 points in 23 minutes. He finished with 10 rebounds, a steal, a block, and nine of his 14 shots made. Wiggins continued to perform effectively as a wing combination next to Jonathan Kuminga, looking buoyant and self-assured. This recent development has made Wiggins more appealing for the front office to retain.

 

 

 

He would be more inclined to make room for Kuminga to come if he was preventing Kuminga from playing or from sharing the court with him. However, following a disastrous minus-106 start to the season, Wiggins and Kuminga have combined to score plus-74 points in 164 minutes over the last nine games, which have coincided with Draymond Green’s comeback.

 

 

 

Although he is the most well-known player the Warriors seem to be actively considering, Wiggins would love to stay with Golden State.

 

 

 

 

I adore this place, Wiggins remarked. “Love your teammates, coaches, organization, and fans.”

 

 

 

The Warriors’ lone setback on this trip came on Saturday in Atlanta, when Klay Thompson had one of his worst performances of the year. He shot just 4 of 19 overall, missing key crucial baskets in OT and the latter part of the fourth quarter. When head coach Steve Kerr decided to close with Gui Santos rather than Thompson in the closing minutes, the problems in Brooklyn got even worse and were reported around the country.

 

 

 

On Wednesday night, Thompson responded, making four of his five three-pointers on his way to eighteen effective points in a quarter of an hour. His last play was a classic Thompson transition push, pump fake, pull-up wing 3. After the game, Thompson praised Kerr’s patience and reiterated his lack of worry about his name being spoken. Kerr stated he appeared “relaxed.”

 

 

 

I don’t participate in online NBA discussions,” Thompson declared. That seems like such a waste of energy to me. Ultimately, I will remain true to who I am, regardless of whether I’m donning a Dubs uniform or something else. I’m going to be KT.

 

 

 

The Warriors don’t seem to have any plans to deal Thompson before the deadline. He said he wanted to be with them through Thursday and into the future.

 

 

 

That’s accurate, Thompson stated. “Excellent evaluation.”

 

Kevon Looney is the third seasoned player from the starting lineup that is no longer in use. His struggles throughout the season have contributed to the Warriors’ present standing outside of the playoffs. Similar to Thompson and Wiggins, Looney performed admirably against the 76ers. Although he didn’t enter the game until the first few minutes of the second quarter, Kerr claimed that Looney altered the team’s focus and vigor.

 

 

 

Looney had a and-1, a couple of tough finishes, and a weakside block. He even bullied through Mo Bamba. He finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 17 minutes, including a plus-11 performance in the first half that included a significant portion of the game without Curry or Green on the court.

 

 

 

Although I haven’t heard much discussion about it in the locker room, we are aware that there is a lot of trade noise, Looney said. “I don’t believe we’re anxious. It doesn’t seem to be bothering us. We’re really starting to play better, in my opinion.

 

 

With only $3 million of his $8 million guaranteed for the upcoming season, Looney is making $7.5 million this season. This is a deal that could be beneficial as a vehicle in a midsized trade, which is primarily what is available on the market. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Looney’s rookie, has shown some promise and is positioned beneath him on the depth chart.

 

 

 

“Until the deadline is over, everyone will be checking their phones,” Looney declared. “You never know.” We are familiar with the industry. We are aware that we don’t.

 

Kerr stuck to his recent position before to the game, saying that he doesn’t think the Warriors would trade or need to move in order to make a playoff impression.

 

 

 

Kerr remarked, “I think this group can accomplish something exceptional.” “I genuinely do. So we feel like we have a decent group we can push with if we don’t do anything tomorrow.

 

 

 

Kerr reiterated his confidence for a 23–25 squad following the victory, a rout that moved them to within one game of the Play-In Tournament bracket but still left them five and a half games short of the sixth spot.

 

 

Over the past few weeks, Kerr claimed, “our defense has improved.” Although I’m not sure of our rating, I do know that it’s a significant improvement from where we were prior to that. The starting lineup appeals to me. I enjoy Wiggs and JK together. Each member of our squad has successfully surmounted any personal challenges that have arisen. I am quite happy with the direction we are going.

 

 

 

In the eight games prior, the Warriors have a 5-3 record. The three losses were close: the Hawks lost in overtime and the Kings and Lakers lost by one point each. Over that time, they rank eighth with a defense rating of 112.3. That has everything to do with Green’s comeback. Given where they still stand, there is a startling degree of growing belief.

 

 

 

“Steph Curry is here,” Thompson remarked. “Draymond is here.” You return home, look up our combined playoff record, and you’ll see that we are, I think, champions. I shall always have faith. The season is lengthy. I will always think that if we are geared up together, we can succeed.

 

(Image of Steph Curry; she did not attend the fourth.


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