As the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 8, Golden State Warriors’ forward Andrew Wiggins emerges as a potential trade candidate, drawing interest from the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers.
NBA insider Shams Charania shed light on the evolving trade landscape, emphasizing the absence of a salary-shedding mandate from Warriors owner Joe Lacob or the front office.
Charania remarked on FanDuelTV’s Run It Back, “We know they’ve got this crazy tax bill. But there’s no mandate for that. I think whatever move is going to help this team win and compete is what this front office is going to look at.”
Despite the considerable luxury tax implications, the primary focus remains on crafting moves that enhance the team’s competitiveness and chances of success.
Charania’s insights underscore the Warriors’ strategic approach, opting for player-for-player deals to retain flexibility without sacrificing valuable draft picks.
The pivotal question for the Warriors is whether the incoming players, including those potentially acquired by trading Wiggins, align with the team’s overall vision and complement stars like Steph Curry.
Expressing interest in acquiring Wiggins, the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers are identified as potential suitors in the ongoing trade discussions.
However, Charania emphasizes that the Warriors won’t make moves merely for the sake of moving players. Charania added, “I think the Warriors need true reasons if they’re going to trade whether it’s Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul… Right now they just don’t have an offer on the table that really moves the needle.”
Wiggins, currently in the first year of a four-year, $109 million contract, has become a focal point of trade talks. The former number one draft pick, at 28 years old, is averaging career-low statistics with 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 27.1 minutes.
