Dubs in-depth: Should the Warriors trade their 2020 first-round pick for Aaron Gordon?
Bleacher Report suggests the Dubs try and acquire the high-flyer from the Orlando Magic.
The Golden State Warriors will most likely have top-five pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but no one knows for certain if they will actually use it.
There has been plenty of speculation that general manager Bob Myers will trade the selection to acquire a player who can help the team contend for a championship immediately.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report put together a list of potential trades for each of the lottery teams, and he suggests the Dubs should move the pick to Orlando for forward Aaron Gordon and the Magic’s own 2020 pick, which will be outside the lottery.
“Gordon looks almost perfect for Golden State—and vice versa. He can switch defensive assignments without missing a beat, is electric in the open court and has shown clear ability as a secondary playmaker. The scoring-starved Magic often ask too much of him on offense (particularly with shot-creation), but the Dubs could minimize his role to accentuate his strengths as a slasher, finisher and ball-mover.”
Even though the Warriors have a $17.2 million trade exception from the Andre Iguodala deal, they would need to make salaries match with Gordon on the books for just over $18 million next season.
Gordon is averaging 14.4 points per game in 2019-20, but he only hits 30.1% of his 3-point attempts and his effective field goal percentage ranks 271st in the NBA. The good news is that he won’t be one of the top offensive options for the Dubs with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson back next year.
On the other end of the floor, Gordon 2.2 defensive win share ranks 48th in the NBA, per basketball reference. He has the athleticism, size and quickness to fit in to the Warriors switch-heavy system.
Even though the 2020 Draft is considered to be a weak class, I think the price is too steep for Gordon. If the Warriors do land the No. 1 pick, they could use it on a player like Georgia guard Anthony Edwards or European forward Deni Avdija, who could develop into cornerstone piece for the franchise moving forward.
Would you make the trade Buckley suggested?
Onto some more links:
Speaking of the Warriors trading their 2020 pick, one former NBA coach thinks that would be the best option. ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy joined KNBR and shares his thoughts on why moving the selection makes the most sense for the Dubs.
Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo remains an unlikely target for the Warriors, some believe they have an outside chance to acquire the reigning NBA MVP. The SF Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau says the NBA shutdown is helping the Dubs chances of getting the Greek Freak.
Draymond Green is an example of a how a team can absolutely nail a second-round pick. Green wasn’t selected until No. 35 in 2012, but where would he have went if we knew how good he turned out to be? NBC Bay Area’s Drew Shiller put together a 2012 re-draft and has Green being picked a lot higher.
There has been plenty of talk about NBA dynasties with the 90s Chicago Bulls being featured in ESPN’s documentary, “The Last Dance.” Former Heat forward and NBA All-Star Chris Bosh talked to the Sun Sentinel and compared Miami’s run to the Warriors.