Dub Hub: Warriors believe they remain ‘well-positioned’ for a trade upgrade

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, August 19th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Warriors believe they remain “well-positioned” for a trade upgrade.
• NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole highlights 10 pivotal matchups on the Warriors schedule.
• 76ers sign Olympic standout Guerschon Yabusele to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

After missing out on potential trades for NBA stars Paul George and Lauri Markkanen, the Golden State Warriors are set to enter the upcoming season without securing the second star they needed alongside Stephen Curry. Despite this, the Warriors remain optimistic about their approach to the season as NBA insider Marc Stein reports team officials believe they are still “well-positioned” to make a trade upgrade at some point this year.

Golden State will begin the season with a core led by Curry and Draymond Green, aided by a supporting cast of promising young talent and solid rotational players. While they may not be a championship-caliber roster just yet, the Warriors’ control over their first-round draft picks, combined with a collection of intriguing young assets, keeps them in a strong position to pursue a deal if a superstar becomes available.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, August 19th:

Warriors News:

All the latest around-the-league chatter in our Sunday NBA Notes | The Stein Line

Golden State is plotting its next moves in the wake of unsuccessful trade pursuits of Paul George and Lauri Markkanen in the offseason. Team officials believe they remain well-positioned for a trade upgrade at some point in the next year or so after responding to the free agent departure of Curry’s longtime backcourt mate Klay Thompson by acquiring Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton on short-term deals and retaining all of their draft picks. The distinct sense at Chase Center is that the Clippers and Jazz, despite no shortage of conversation with both teams, did not really want to do business with the Warriors.

Report: LeBron’s agent ‘adamantly opposed’ trade to Warriors | NBC Sports Bay Area

That is partly because James’ agent, Rich Paul, was “adamantly opposed” to the idea of James swapping Southern California for Northern California, NBA contributor Marc Stein reported in his latest Substack, citing league sources.

Paul was hesitant about how the NBA world would perceive his client if James left Los Angeles to join a fourth team in his career.

“Sources say Paul implored both teams to scrap the concept — despite some owner-to-owner dialogue between the Warriors’ Joe Lacob and the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss and Green’s determination to lobby James to push for relocation to the Bay Area — largely because he wanted to insulate James from potential backlash over switching teams for the fourth time in his career,” Stein wrote.

10 Warriors games to watch that are pivotal to 2024-25 playoff push | NBC Sports Bay Area

Nov. 12 vs. Dallas Mavericks

The return of Warriors legend Klay Thompson – wearing another jersey for the first time ever – could make this the hottest ticket in Chase Center history. At least as coveted as Thompson’s return after a 941-day absence in January 2022. Once the pregame festivities are over, Golden State must confront the reigning Western Conference champs.

NBA Rumors: Erik Spoelstra, Ty Lue Among Top Options to Replace Steve Kerr as USA HC | Bleacher Report

Stein reported Sunday that Steve Kerr “is not expected to continue” in the role. The Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and Los Angeles Clippers’ Ty Lue, both assistants on the current staff, are the early front-runners to succeed Kerr.

This would be an ideal time for Kerr to step down. The United States is fresh off winning a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, and the next FIBA Basketball World Cup isn’t until 2027. That’s a long time for the 58-year-old to sit around if he’s on the fence at all about staying on for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Sam Cassell shares the origin of his viral basketball celebration on The Draymond Green Show

NBA News:

Will Devin Booker’s ‘unsung’ effort in Paris earn the Suns guard more NBA respect? | The Athletic

PHOENIX — In the closing minutes of USA Basketball’s gold-medal win against France, Devin Booker drove baseline, drew in the defense and fired a pass to the hottest shooter in the building. Stephen Curry buried a 3-pointer from the key.

The Phoenix Suns guard had made plays like this throughout the Olympics. An extra pass. Strong defense. It’s the main reason coach Steve Kerr called him Team USA’s “unsung MVP.” On a team of superstars, Booker had become a role player, sacrificing scoring for whatever was needed, an effort deserving of praise.

Every USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team Since 1992 Ranked | Complex

It’s simpler than it sounds. Prime Kobe, fueled by the angst of a Finals loss and heading into back-to-back titles, alongside athletic peak LeBron (maybe, because LeBron is kind of still an athletic anomaly). That slightly, ever so slightly, like the thinnest margins possible, edges out the Dream Team.

Funnily enough, it was Dwyane Wade who led the team in scoring, off the bench and on fewer shots than the dynamic duo, no less. Ultimately it’s the versatility of this roster, the gamebreaking ability to play Chris Bosh at center and the ferocity of the defense they played when they needed it most. At the end of the day, one Kobe and one LeBron is enough to overcome just about anything that can happen on a basketball court. In the dream scenario of the Redeem Team vs. The Dream Team, it’s that simple math that edges them over all Jordan brings and that depth in the front court.

Barely. Just barely.

76ers agree to a one-year deal with Guerschon Yabusele

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Will the Warriors reach extension agreements before the deadline?

Moses Moody

A lot of what I said about Kuminga applies to Moody, just at a lower level. The Warriors value him, but do they value him as much as he thinks someone else will value him after another season?

My guess is no. The Warriors like Moody, but they’ve never committed to giving him consistent minutes, a big role, or a part in the core of what they’re building. If they don’t give him a really good offer, I’d expect him to want to enter free agency and pursue if not a bigger payday, then at least a bigger role somewhere.

The verdict: Unlikely.

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