Amid the various paths forward for the Golden State Warriors, could trading away two veterans be the answer?
The Golden State Warriors found a winning formula in the second half of the season after trading for Jimmy Butler.
Butler energized the Warriors, forming a new look team and thriving alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
The Warriors ultimately fell short in the conference semifinals, with Curry missing four games with a strained hamstring, while Butler appeared limited by an injury suffered in the previous round against the Rockets.
It underlined the dangers of relying on three players who are in the final years of their career, with Butler and Green both 35, and Curry 37.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesAlternative path laid out for Golden State Warriors
All signs point to the Golden State Warriors deciding to run it back next season with their star trio, and looking to strengthen around them.
Jonathan Kuminga could even be traded to find more suitable players to perform alongside them.
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is not a fan of this route, arguing that Kuminga has turned his fortunes around and should be a key piece of their future.
He believes that instead of focusing on the next year or so, the Warriors should trade away Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler and acquire young stars to place around Steph Curry.
He told Gil’s Arena: “Steph plays young. Steph, Kuminga let me throw in some more young boys, and let Steph have his farewell tour.
“When he leaves, I have 23 to 24 year olds and we are going to be good.
“You can off Jimmy and Draymond,” he added.
Arenas believes Green and Butler would have a market
Gilbert Arenas believes there are teams who can make use of Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, specifically mentioning their first round playoff opponents, the Houston Rockets.
He said: “If I’m going to package them, there are only two teams looking I can do something with them.
“OKC if they don’t win this year. Houston, I could do with some defense and Jimmy Butler. All their forwards they don’t really play, Jabari [Smith].
“They are a couple of vets away from being good.”
He then added a couple more potential destinations: “Orlando, they got some pieces over there, Cleveland might think about something.”
The Warriors are likely to stick by Green and Butler, but if other teams approach them with a potential trade, it might give them reason to consider their options.