By Justin Taylor
Earlier this week I asked Warriors fans, if presented with a
shot at a superstar, whether they would prefer to trade Harrison Barnes or Klay
Thompson? On one hand I got exactly what I expected, a great deal of hate mail
accusing me of “trying to break up a potential championship contender.” My
stance is that if Joe Lacob has instructed Bob Myers to look for that
swing-for-the-fences move then so should I.
I understand the want and the need to see this young team
reach its apex together but there are a maximum of ten superstars in this
league. When you get your pitch you better swing at it, end of story. Today I’m
following up on that hypothetical questionnaire with a very real hypothetical
trade proposal. I’m taking my cuts, backlash be damned.
Kevin Love would look good in a Warriors jersey but he won't come cheap
Proposal:
Right now I’m submitting a fake proposal to an imaginary
league office that will send the Warriors' David Lee and Harrison Barnes along with
a purchased 2013 first round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin
Love and Alexy Shved. If David Kahn were still the Wolves GM I’d tack on
Derrick Williams but I’m pretty sure Flip Saunders is a smarter than him and the league might veto that version. I also
want to keep this fake trade as realistic as possible.
Golden State fans hate the thought of dealing Barnes because
we’ve been down this road before. Team drafts good player; team develops good
player; team hits its stride with good player; team trades good player for
unproven rookie. The difference here is that we’re not looking at Billy Owens
or Brandan Wright and Nellie isn’t the one pulling the trigger. We’re talking
about the best power forward in the league and he hasn’t even hit his prime
yet.
(Quick Question: Would
Lebron James consider signing with a team with the best shooting backcourt in
the NBA, the best rebounding and passing power forward in the league and a
legit seven foot defensive center in 2014? It would easily be the best, most
well rounded squad he’s ever played on and that might include Team USA!)
Fans won't care if David Lee is traded but Harrison Barnes is different
Why the Warriors do
it:
Kevin Love is a bona fide star that averaged 20 points and
15 boards as a 21 year old, 26/13 as a 22 year old and he is still only 24. He
also happens to be a better shooter, low post scorer, rebounder, passer and
defender than David Lee. On top of all that, they will be making damn near the
same amount of money in the 2015-16 season when Lee is 33 and Love is just
hitting his prime at 28.
The Warriors salary cap situation in 2014 remains unchanged.
Do you know how many free agents would kill for the chance to play with Kevin
Love and Steph Curry? Throw Klay Thompson into the mix and no team in NBA will
be spacing the floor like the Warriors. Just imagine you are a slashing small
forward for a second; I'll use Lebron James as a random example. What three running mates
in the league are going to open the middle of the floor and keep defenses
honest night in night out like these guys? That fact that Curry and Love are
both extremely good, ridiculously unselfish passers would just be icing on the
cake.
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush, Kevin Love would
make up the best 3 point shooting starting lineup in the history of the NBA. I
don’t even need to research that statement, call my bluff.
A front line of Andrew Bogut and Kevin Love would be the
best passing and one of the best rebounding frontcourts in the entire NBA.
The team defense would improve because Love is a better
defensive rebounder than David Lee and is a less terrible defender. Brandon Rush is also a better defender than Harrison Barnes but that is besides the point. Lee is a
hard worker and is good at getting boards but Love is the best rebounder in the
NBA. Again, he’s only 24.
Alexy Shved as a throw in just might have a shot as the long
term back up point guard for the Warriors whether Jarrett Jack resigns or they
bring in another option in free agency.
Last but certainly least; I could make a super cheesy I LOVE
CURRY © design the minute the deal gets league approval.
You've got to risk something if you want one of the best players in the league
Why the Timberwolves
do it:
First and foremost, nobody around the league thinks Kevin
Love will resign in Minnesota when his current deal expires so they better do
something before they get a bunch of lowball offers.
No trade proposal that they get for Love will give them a
two time All Star and a potentially perennial All Star.
If the trade doesn’t happen before the draft then the
Warriors would be able to offer a pick in next seasons “loaded” draft as
opposed to this year’s terrible draft.
Pairing Barnes with Ricky Rubio will put them on the
SportsCenter Top 10 a few times a week even if it doesn’t put them in the
playoffs.
No matter which way you slice it Minnesota fans wouldn’t be
happy (I don’t think) but they would have one of the more entertaining teams in
the league and their main guys would all be under contract for the foreseeable
future. That is saying something for a small market team like them.
Who says no:
Even though it would be tough for the Twolves to find a
better offer anywhere around the league I do think they would be the ones to
turn this deal down.
How could the Warriors
say no to adding the top power forward in the league while still maintaining
their ability to make a splash in the 2014 free agent pool? There are some
injury concerns but I’m way less worried about Kevin Love’s hand than I am
about the ankles of Steph Curry and Andrew Bogut. Did I mention he’s still
only 24?
Get on the phone Bob!
Me after reading the title: Idk about this one...
ReplyDeleteMe after reading the article: you know what, Justin, you might be onto something. I'm not sure I'm so crazy about losing a scorer for a PF but Kevin Love is a versatile 4.
I also enjoyed that Mark Jackson reference and your "random example." I wouldn't mind if he randomly decided to come to the Bay in 2014 and randomly lead us to a championship... lol
I really do think this is a legit trade option.
Appreciate the feedback Elijah! I know it isn't the popular position to take around here but I'd rather build around two top 10 players than one and a couple of top 30 guys. As big of a risk as it is you actually eliminate alot of the unknown by acquiring the be power forward in the league instead of hoping Barnes hits his ceiling.
DeleteI love Lee and Barnes looked good in the playoffs, but how could you argue against that trade?!
DeleteI'd tell you to make that comment on the Trapped in Golden State facebook page but I don't want people talking to you the way they have me for the last couple days! lol...
DeleteYou'd think this was the worst offer ever the way many have reacted. If you're the GM and you're not seriously thinking about the merits your crazy. Maybe you decide against it at the end of the day but you at least look long and hard about it...
Regardless of fan reaction, I think Myers and West would do it...Lee is off limits for Lacob though...lol...
By the way...nobody has gone out on a limb for Lee, it's all "Barnes is a superstar you idiot!" I think Barnes has a 50/50 shot at superstardom whereas Love is more like 95/5 in my mind...
as much as i love david lee and what he has done for the warriors, i would give him up for Kevin Love hands down. the only player i wouldnt trade for kevin love is stephen curry. you cant get rid of a player like him who is just starting to get into his rhythm. but i would love to see love and curry go at it together. itd be the highest scoring pg and bigman duo in the nba all while both of them still putting up big numbers in their respected stat catagories
Deletei like this except where you said get on the phone Bob... he shouldn't be calling around looking to trade a guy i believe is the future for this team in Harrison Barnes, David Lee in this deal as much as i love him doesn't hurt me as much although i would really like the front office to focus on issues infront of us like the Jack and Landry thing and leave big players on this team alone for now until there is a real reason to make moves...in other words IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT!
ReplyDeleteI won't argue with you anonymous guy...Barnes is definitely a bitter pill to swallow but only if he fulfills every ounce of his potential which is....what? Top 20 player? I'm advocating we go with the guy we know is a sure top 10 player starting now. Him and Curry will be hitting their primes together and it could be awesome. I've anticipated a step back this season all along unless Bob Myers hits another Landry like home run in free agency...
DeleteActually it's broke, that's why it needs fixing.
DeleteWhy on earth wouldn't Golden State love this deal? As a Wolves fan I wouldn't want this, because I still think we can hold on to Love. The only things he doesnt like about the Wolves were David Kahn (who is gone now) and the losing ways. Bringing in 2 first rounds picks to join this team that was a playoff team before all the injuries 2 years ago and last year should give him hope for the future.
ReplyDeleteGreat feedback from a Wolves fan...If you were happy with the proposal I'd be more worried and would have to rethink it...Opinions from the opposite fan base is the best way to gauge a trade...It's too easy to get attached to the potential of your own young guys and I tried very hard to seperate myself from that here.
DeleteI would do this trade in a heart beat. Like you said id rather build my team around two top 10 players then have a bunch of top 30 players. Love would be an upgrade over Lee and losing barnes wont be easy but Id rather take my chances on a pretty much proven superstar then hope that barnes hits his ceiling. If this trade happened(assuming Rush is 100%) Rush can step in and provide the wing defense and pretty much what barnes provided last year. And like you said what free agent would not at least look into a team with two top ten players with a potential top 5 SG and a healthy bogut.
ReplyDeleteJust so everyone knows, I did not write this comment...This anonymous commenter actually agreed with me all around lol
DeleteI know Kevin Love is good, but Barnes is going to be a superstar... When you think about what he accomplished his rookie year, and his poise. I mean he basically took over in the playoffs. And the part that really makes him valuable is that he is their most athletic player, and he has been reliable and healthy. Barnes is a bright future for the Warriors. Love would be awesome, but I would not trade Barnes.
ReplyDeleteI think Love is closer to be a superstar right now than Barnes will ever be. My opinion is that Barnes may be an all star more than once but I only consider the top 10 players in the league (maybe less) superstars and I don't think he'll get quite that far. If I have a chance to pair a top 10 player with Steph I do it...
DeleteMy mouth is watering at the thought of having that kind of fire power in a starting line up. Goddamn it would be fun to watch and even more to see the W's rack up. But, I do love Lee, his charisma, his attitude, and everything he contributes to help anchor the team. As for Barnes, I really think this kid could be spectacular. His maturity and demeanor lends itself to success and such a successful playoff run in his rookie season will certainly play dividends toward the speed and rate at which he develops. His great attitude makes me think that his likelihood of reaching he potential is greater than 50/50. Maybe 60/40. What do you think is the absolute peak he could reach? At the least, I see him becoming a more focused and less selfish version of Rudy Gay with a more accurate jump shot. That is what is so fun about the current state of things with this team. We only have good options, and we can work out of a place of power rather than desperateness. It's funny recollecting your articles from over a year ago before the draft when we really were trapped in Golden State, and your explanations of how we were virtually doomed to mediocrity for the foreseeable future. My have things changed! All I know is I'll be happy with whatever Bob Myers decides to do, because I don't think he can go wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it Luke. How awesome is it to be dealing from a position of power and to have total faith in the front office? Might be the first time in my 30 years blindly following this team.
DeleteAs for Barnes, I see him as a top 20 player at some point down the line. The reason I'd be willing to make a deal is because Love is already a top 10 player in my mind and there is a big difference between an all star and a superstar. I think Barnes will definitely be better than Barnes but that is assuming he realizes 100% of his potential.
The funny thing about the backlash I've received for this proposal is that nobody is willing to acknowledge the 40 in the 60/40 you referenced. I love Harrison Barnes but I've seen plenty of guys who had the potential to be a superstar but never did. In fact, there is more examples of that than the other way around.
Who are your top 10 players?
ReplyDelete1. Lebron 2.Durant 3.CP3 in that order...The rest of my list is completely debatable...Melo even if I'm not a fan. D. Rose if healthy. Westbrook if healthy. Duncan will be in my top 10 till he retires. Kobe (see Carmelo). Gasol, Marc. Howard. Love. Steph.
Deletewe can't buy a 1st round pick in this years draft because we only have like 1.5m to spend and you need about 3m for a 1st round pick.
ReplyDeletewith schved we wouldnt really need to resign jack. i think this would be a great deal... not sure why t'wolves would do this. maybe if we throw in draymond or jack if salaries match ... still doesn't seem that great of a trade for twolves.
It's almost comical how many people think it's a no brainer for the Warriors to say no when really it's the Wolves who are more likely to deny such a deal...Thanks for reading and responding Fastbreak!
DeleteI'd say no because of the seemingly continuous stream of injuries Love has experienced. He's only 24, it's hard to imagine that he'll stay healthier as he ages.
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand why warriors fans think barnes is a "superstar". He is a good player but that's about it. Now that the draft is over and we picked up Goodwin this trade would be better fit if we had them throw in Williams instead. I just want to say one thing to my fellow warriors fans though "please stop over overvaluing this lover level guys". I think the wolves should run with this trade though. Its the best offer there gonna get for Love.
ReplyDeleteNo need to say why but "Im Stoked"!!! Man up vs. the finest. No time to talk. Calling my buddy down south to rattle his cage. That jerk has ridiculed my old ass for ages. Now it's my turn. I've been waiting for this. Still work to be done but Lacob & Myers are on my Christmas list! Who'll fill the void if Ezeli can't go. Any ideas? I'll be back. Taking the wife out to dinner after this news. Courtesy of Lacob & Myers. They'll be on her list after this evening. Maybe a title is still within my reach. I just can't believe it! WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Anonymous above my suggestion is to hang onto Barnes. He may not be a star....YET. Kidding me? He'll be fine! Let him learn the ropes. He's a infant. Kids sometimes grow up. After all Barnes didn't look too bad last season in his rookie year lol. Go Warriors!!!
just saw this post. gonna try to pull the trade in my 2k14 warriors season now lol
ReplyDeleteSome GS fans here get a massive hardon whenever they see Barnes do his dunk. He is a stiff and his moves are quite predictable. He's never going to be an All-Star in this league, not even close to Kevin Love's caliber. Barnes is a fringe player whose ceiling is complimenting an All-Star. Myers should do this Love trade en pronto! Curry, Thompson, Igoudala, Love, Bogut. WOW! Still a weak bench but that can be remedied.
ReplyDelete