In a parallel reality, the Golden State Warriors were among the busiest purchasers at the NBA trade deadline this year.
It is obviously not the world in which we find ourselves.
In this case, the Dubs essentially missed the deadline, arranging only one transaction that was driven only by money, sending Cory Joseph away while receiving no return talent.
It won’t matter if the upcoming months demonstrate that the Warriors have what it takes to contend for the postseason. They may come to regret the following three deadline choices, though, if they end up being as erratic as they have been during the entire season.
The Warriors will have to overcome some enormous challenges if they are to map out a route to an amazing championship run. Among the potential Goliaths on their path are Nikola Jokić, Joel Embiid, Kristaps Porziņģis, Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis.
Golden State simply has the ability to match this size because it left this frontcourt undeveloped at the deadline.
Dario Šarić, a skillful big man with a 6’10” body who weighs just 225 pounds, is the tallest player on the team. With a 6’9″ veteran playing in one of his worst seasons, Kevon Looney is the closest this team has to a typical centre.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, a 6’9″ rookie who hasn’t yet managed a regular rotation slot, is the most energetic big man. Draymond Green, who is only 6’6″ and 230 pounds but is a master at playing bigger than his size, is perhaps the best centre.
Golden State will almost definitely be at a size disadvantage if it plays a star centre anytime in the forthcoming postseason. That worry would have been much reduced by a single deadline deal for size.
