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After a year away from the game due to injuries, Golden State Warriors superstars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are slated to return at the start of the next season, which has made the franchise a contender to win it all once again. However, with the team's roster still needing some strengthening, the Golden State Warriors have been involved in a plethora of NBA trade rumors this off-season.
In that regard, let's take a look at five such players linked with the Golden State Warriors.
NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players who could help the Golden State Warriors win the 2021 NBA Championship
For this list, we have analyzed the NBA trade rumors surrounding the franchise to pick out five players who are most likely to add depth in areas where the Golden State Warriors need the most bolstering: guard and center positions.
Without further ado, let's get started.
#5 Dwight Howard
After their win against the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals, the LA Lakers have been surrounded by NBA trade rumors, as several of their players have turned to free agency this off-season. The Golden State Warriors are one of the interested teams in this regard.
Despite being 34 years old, Dwight Howard is as athletic as ever, and in a resurgent year with the LA Lakers, he arguably played the best basketball of his career.
While it must be said he was a bench player for the franchise, Howard came up big in the post-season. He was elite as a rim protector and versatile as a scorer on the inside as well.
Dwight Howard has shown that he still has the ability to contribute to a championship-winning team. With the Golden State Warriors reportedly interested in his services as per NBA trade rumors, a move to the Bay area could be on the cards for the player this off-season.
#4 Aron Baynes
As per NBA trade rumors, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly on the lookout for a big man who could not only do the dirty work on the inside but also prop up, when needed to, from behind the arc as well. If that is indeed the case, the franchise need not look any further than Aron Baynes.
The 33-year-old player, much like Dwight Howard, played the best basketball of his NBA career last season, doing so with the Phoenix Suns, while performing at a near All-Star level.
Baynes shot a very impressive 35.1% from the deep, which makes him a very attractive prospect for the Golden State Warriors to pursue. He is also one of the best rim-protectors in the league and could be vital to any franchise's defense.
If the Warriors acquire Aron Baynes during the NBA Free Agency 2020, the franchise could be one of the most dominant teams in the league once again.
#3 Nikola Vucevic
While the Orlando Magic have taken strides towards improving and made the NBA Playoffs last season, Nikola Vucevic could reportedly opt to ask for a trade this off-season. According to NBA trade rumors in this regard, this is a development the Golden State Warriors should look to capitalize on.
Nikola Vucevic is best defined by the term 'all-rounder'. He is a great facilitator capable of calling plays. He is also a good shooter from behind the arc, an elite inside scorer and a very smart defender, who is capable of protecting the rim.
Considering the deficiencies in the Golden State Warriors' roster, while Vucevic might not be the biggest name linked with the franchise, the player could be quite a handful in helping the Warriors realize their championship aspirations.
#2 Bradley Beal
While the Washington Wizards may have come out publicly to announce that Bradley Beal will play out his contract with the franchise, NBA trade rumors linking the 27-year-old with other franchises around the league have not ceased.
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly one of the teams interested in the player this off-season, and with good reason. The franchise needs an elite tertiary scorer, one who could support Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Bradley Beal could don that role for the Golden State Warriors, as he is an elite and versatile scorer, who averaged 30.5 points per game last season.
While Bradley Beal's defense does leave a lot to be desired, if the Golden State Warriors could find a way to work around it, the franchise could be one of the favorites to win it all next season.
#1 Jrue Holiday
We have Jrue Holiday to round up our list of players who could elevate the Golden State Warriors to championship contenders next season.
The 30-year-old can do it all. He is elite as a facilitator or as a high volume scorer and always makes smart decisions in either role. Holiday is also regarded as one of the best guards in the league at the defensive end, one who can predict most opposition plays and throw a spanner in the plans of opponent teams
With Holiday fielding interest from a host of contenders, he is unlikely to be easily acquired by the Warriors. However, if the Golden State Warriors manage to acquire him, they would give themselves the best chance to be NBA champions again next season.
Also Read: Development of Marquese Chriss could be pivotal in Golden State Warriors' search for a small-ball center.
