SAN FRANCISCO — As the final day of the 2024 NBA Draft and the start of free agency approaches, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy is clutching his cards so tightly that a cut remains on his chest.
That’s evident when Dunleavy suggested Monday that trades are extremely difficult to structure and complete in today’s NBA.
“In addition to certainly knowing the whole team, and I think I said this before, it’s just hard to make a deal,” he said during a news conference at Chase Center. “I can’t stress this enough, there are a lot of good teams out there that know what they have to do, whereas before it just seemed like you could rip somebody off or you just had a different reason to make a deal.
“It’s tough right now.”
Nice try, hard to buy.
The GM shocked the league by acquiring Chris Paul last summer, and while it wasn’t a surprise when Dunleavy traded for Jordan Poole, it was the universal surprise when Golden State acquired the 38-year-old point guard for $30 million a year.
If they can move an aging point guard making $30 million a year, even with just one guaranteed year, the market is open and there are options available that can be explored.
Additionally, the 2024 NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks is proof that trades are not only possible, but can shift the balance of power within the NBA.
The Celtics established themselves as the franchise most likely to win the Finals with two big trades: acquiring Kristaps Porzingis in June and Jrue Holiday in October.
After acquiring Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the February 9 trade deadline, the Mavericks quickly rebuilt their roster with the addition of two starters and overcame a mediocre start by winning 21 of their final 30 games before defeating three top Western Conference teams to reach the Finals.
Trades remain as big a part of the NBA as they are in the MLB or NFL, if not bigger. In fact, they are the lifeblood of the league and often more impactful than free agent signings.
But timing is the most important factor.
“It’s about having a partner that’s willing to work with you,” Dunleavy said. “You’ve got to find the right timing to do that, you’ve got to find the right player for you and have the player that’s available.”
“We’ve been in touch with everyone, but unless the player is available and a price is given, there can be no trade.”
Trades aren’t easy to make, but they aren’t that hard to do, especially if you have the assets. The Oklahoma City Thunder recognized their need for perimeter defense and traded 2022 first-round pick Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso.
The Mavericks acquired Gafford and Washington from the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets for salary cap flexibility.
In contrast, the Celtics have committed to assembling enough two-way talent around current stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to field a win-or-lose team. Boston traded away center Marcus Smart to add Porzingis and then traded those two players and two future first-round draft picks (including this year’s) to acquire Holiday.
That’s what it takes to win a championship.
The Warriors, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr under contract, seem firmly committed to making the most of the next two seasons, and with or without Clay Thompson, it’s not a team built for the long term.
That’s why players in their 30s like Paul George and Jimmy Butler create intriguing speculation for the Golden State Warriors, who own two future first-round picks.
To acquire a veteran impact player, the team would almost certainly have to move Jonathan Kuminga, who is projected to be Golden State’s best prospect among players under the age of 25.
The Warriors have not indicated any intention to part ways with Kuminga, nor have they indicated any intention to do the same with Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
“Everybody’s calling right now, whether it’s future draft picks or current players,” Dunleavy said. “Everybody’s trying to get better, so everybody’s probing and asking questions. It’s good to see the phones ringing and people interested in our players. That’s a good sign for the level and quality of the players we have.”
“But it’s not like we’re too keen on it.”
That could change. The Poole-Paul trade was completed relatively quickly. Dunleavy wasn’t revealing his cards.
With all indications pointing to Golden State having a desire to acquire a veteran impact player, he has not indicated that so far other than trying to keep a cool head.
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