After securing their fifth consecutive win , the Golden State Warriors appear to be shaping up well, placing 7th in the West with a 5-3 record. For all intents and purposes, the combined brilliance of Stephen Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg has given the Dubs much to be optimistic about . Still, some concerns remain.
Although their current form is promising, many believe it is not sustainable over the course of an 82-game season. Hence, the Warriors must consider shoring up their roster, and currently, no position demands it more than the big man rotation. In all fairness, the Dubs have attempted to address this by floating Kristaps Porzingis in trade negotiations . Unfortunately, the response hasn't been significant.
While teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies have shown an interest , The Athletic's Sam Amick and Nick Friedell suggested that Golden State has also reached out to the Milwaukee Bucks to engage in trade discussions. While Milwaukee's interest in parting with a player like Myles Turner has been noted , the Warriors may be equally interested in landing Kel'el Ware .
But is Ware available on the trade block?
To some extent, yes. According to recent rumors, the Bucks' center has been listed as a potential trade candidate , but given Milwaukee's limited interest in dealing with Golden State, facilitating a trade could pose some challenges.
Given the Warriors' desperate need for a center, the Dubs may revitalize their efforts to engage in talks with the Bucks. To maximize their chances of landing Kel'el Ware, we explore a trade proposal that could entice the Bucks.
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Kel'el Ware, Caris LeVert
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Gui Santos, 2028 first-round pick
Given his underwhelming performances thus far, the Bucks may view an opportunity to offload Caris LeVert favorably. Hence, with both sides swapping negative assets, along with two promising young players, the Dubs may be able to gain Milwaukee's attention.
Still, before we can examine how this trade scenario would affect each team's performance, we analyze how financially viable this deal is.
From a financial perspective, this trade seems quite feasible for both parties.
The Warriors have much less flexibility than the Bucks at the moment, sitting roughly $350,000 below the second apron. Since they aren't as capable of taking on more salary, Golden State would have to get creative.
In this scenario, the Dubs would send out roughly $24.6 million in salary by parting with Kristaps Porzingis ($20.0 million) and Gui Santos ($4.6 million). This would create just enough cap space to absorb the incoming cap hit of $19.4 million from Kel'el Ware's ($4.6 million) and Caris LeVert's contracts ($14.8 million).
For the Bucks, completing this deal isn't as challenging, primarily since they are already below the tax line with a payroll of $187.7 million. Since they would only be taking on an excess of $5.2 million in salary, the increase in their overall payroll wouldn't see them go over this limit.
For the Bucks, the implications of this trade aren't as significant. Since Milwaukee is focused on building the team around Brayden Burries , Tyler Herro , and Ryan Rollins , the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis has little value. However, the arrival of Gui Santos and the first-round pick may demand some attention.
Gui Santos has shown remarkable growth this year. After stepping into a larger role in the rotation, Santos has showcased his offensive versatility while maintaining his high-level effort on both ends of the floor.
This season could see Santos take a big step forward, as he is already averaging 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per game. By joining a rebuilding team, the forward could earn more opportunities to thrive by demanding a more significant role in the lineup.
On paper, Porzingis' value lies in his contract. With only $3 million guaranteed next year, the big man is essentially on an expiring deal. Thus, even if he chooses to retire , the Bucks can benefit from the added cap flexibility.
Unlike the Bucks, the Warriors stand to gain a lot from this trade.
For starters, the addition of a veteran like Caris LeVert to strengthen their bench rotation is quite promising. Although the 32-year-old hasn't been at his best with Milwaukee this season, averaging just 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, his reduced playing time may be to blame for this.
When also factoring in his defensive contributions of 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, Golden State may be intrigued by his ability to be an impactful player.
While LeVert brings his own set of skills to the table, the Dubs will primarily be interested in how Kel'el Ware can contribute to their winning efforts.
The 22-year-old big man has shown sparks of brilliance during his brief career in the NBA. Although he possesses the potential to be a truly elite two-way center, even emerging as a potential MIP candidate in Milwaukee after his preseason outings , he clearly hasn't been in the right situation just yet.
In seven appearances for the Bucks, Ware is averaging 11.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Given how similar these figures are to his stats with the Heat last season, there is reason to believe he is still underperforming. However, one could argue that joining a team like Golden State could present him with a better opportunity to flourish.
On paper, Kel'el Ware has the potential to be an incredible addition to the Warriors' rotation. Aside from his inherent offensive versatility, Ware possesses remarkable rebounding and shot-blocking ability. Despite all these factors, trading for him may not be the best move for Golden State.
All things considered, Kel'el Ware has demonstrated a clear lack of motor since his rookie season. Although Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra attempted to keep engaged and motivated, the 22-year-old hasn't responded consistently enough for him to be considered an impactful piece.
As mentioned earlier, the Dubs need a player who can step in and contribute to winning immediately. Whether this involves scoring, making plays on defense, or just contributing with raw effort, Golden State needs a player who can boost their roster strength.
Even if the fit sounds good theoretically, the Warriors would be urged to weigh other options before revisiting a trade for Ware. To that end, one could argue that moving for Pelicans big man Yves Missi , Kings star Domantas Sabonis , or even Jazz star Lauri Markkanen could be a more fruitful endeavor.
