Golden State Warriors: Who Would You Trade?

Mar 25, 2012; Portland, OR, USAGolden State Warriors power forward David Lee (10) drives past Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (left) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-US PRESSWIRE

The 2013-14 NBA season is starting up, and that means that time of the year is finally back!

The Golden State Warriors have improved their roster and have gotten better as a basketball team. Unfortunately for them, however, so has everyone else in the Western Conference. They’re going to have to be determined to win, and make the playoffs. If they play with the same intensity as last year, they may not even see an 83rd game.

With that being said, their roster has been improved in some areas, and worsened in others. What can they do to make it better? Well, if the Warriors don’t have immediate success, they shouldn’t go into panic mode, like most of the fans do. If they’re not winning by the trade deadline, however, that means that it’s time to make some changes.

Right now, it seems like every player is safe, and isn’t going to get traded. David Lee and Klay Thompson have been on the trading block before, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they will be there again. Depending on how he plays, Andrew Bogut may also be in those talks. Obviously, unless the Warriors can trade all these players for LeBron James or Kevin Durant, they’re not going to get rid of all of these guys.

With that being said, who would you relinquish to the trade mark? Realistically, the Warriors should trade away Lee. He is a phenomenal rebounder, but a tempestuous player. I mean this in a good way. There aren’t many 30-year old power forwards who can put up the numbers that Lee can at 20+ ppg and 10+ rebounds. He would be a valuable trading piece.

The other popular option is Thompson. The Warriors are one of the best teams in the NBA in terms of 3-pointers. Thompson is a huge part of this, and if the Warriors trade him, they will see their numbers significantly drop. Additionally, he is the other Splash Brother. He and Stephen Curry make a great combination that has defenders all over the court. If one of them is having a horrid shooting night, the other is red hot from the field.

The last option for the market is Bogut, the injury-riddled center. Fortunately for Bogut, this season with the Warriors is his one final shot at redemption. He may not be an offensive player anymore, fine. He’s a great defensive player, and if he can’t make his presence felt, the Warriors are going to trade him for a considerably more effective player.

Who Would You Trade?