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The Golden State Warriors own two first-round picks in the 2021 NBA Draft that's just hours away. They'll get a chance to add two good prospects using picks No.7 and 14 in the lottery. At the same time, they can also package these picks along with other players in a trade for a star, something they've been rumored to do.
It makes absolute sense for the Golden State Warriors to want to improve now. At 33, Stephen Curry is getting any younger, and after the MVP-caliber season he's had, the front office must add key pieces around him. With Klay Thompson also set to return, the Warriors could compete for the title if things fall into place.
At the same time, the Golden State Warriors also have to think about their financials and the future. Rebuilding is never an easy process and if the Warriors leverage all their future assets to win in the present, then the pressure to deliver would be that much higher because of the significant risk involved.
On that note, let's look at three reasons why the Golden State Warriors should not trade their 2021 NBA Draft picks.
#1 The Golden State Warriors' salary bill is too huge already
The Golden State Warriors already have over $166 million in committed salaries for the 2021-22 season. Trading picks for a star could mean taking on more money over the long haul. The Warriors cannot afford to do that.
This upcoming season will be the fourth time in five years that the Warriors will be over the luxury tax threshold. This means that they'll have to pay the repeater tax. Their luxury tax bill could be well above $100 million for their current payroll.
Converting draft picks into rookie contracts will also cost money, but those would be of smaller value over a longer period of time, giving the Warriors more financial freedom. This would also be more palatable to owner Joe Lacob, given the loss of revenue incurred by teams due to the pandemic.
#2 Golden State Warriors need more depth
The Golden State Warriors may already have a good starting five to work with provided James Wiseman isn't traded, but their bench is extremely shallow. Jordan Poole can provide value as a scorer, but outside of him, the Warriors don't have impact players who can step up for the team if needed.
Using their draft picks, the Golden State Warriors can pick players who are ready to contribute now but also carry an upside. The Warriors have been linked to Josh Giddey, who could lead the team's second unit with his playmaking while polishing other skills in the process. They could add another useful player with the #14 pick.
The Golden State Warriors will only have the taxpayer's mid-level exception worth $5,890,000 to acquire free agents this offseason. Using their two draft picks will be the best option for adding useful role players to the current roster.
#3 Golden State Warriors need transitional pieces for the next era
The Golden State Warriors need to realize that their current core of players won't be around for much longer. Stephen Curry is aged 33, while both Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are 31. It's unrealistic to believe that this trio will be able to play championship-caliber basketball for more than three years from now.
Unless the Warriors want to start from scratch and endure the slow burn of the rebuilding process in the future, they need to add transitional pieces now. James Wiseman was the first such player. If he sticks around, he could be ready to take over by the time the current veterans are out of the picture.
Wiseman alone will not be enough, though. The Golden State Warriors need more players with upside so that they can be developed now and ready to produce the goods when the time comes. Since they plan on being a competitive team, the Warriors are unlikely to have lottery picks anytime soon. This would be the perfect opportunity to cash in on their high picks and inject fresh blood into the roster.
Guess the Lakers players!
