For more than a decade, the Warriors have made a habit of proving and proving their unbridled ambition and passion. Thinking big and acting has led to four championships and, in the process, grown their following from local to global.
And here they have a chance to strengthen their goal for the fifth championship. There is, however, one problem.
Jrue Holiday, perhaps the best two-way guard in the NBA, is on the market. He has a championship ring. He is 33 years old, younger than every member of the Golden State core trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson core. Holiday is a model teammate who will make the Warriors stronger, and this front office hasn’t stopped pondering ways to improve.
The dilemma lies in the form of veteran point guard Chris Paul. He is 38, one of the 10 oldest players in the league. He is a future Hall of Famer who has been with the Warriors all 12 weeks.
Any attempt to bring in Holiday would have to involve Paul and get out. Simple, huh? Golden State will be five years younger, add an elite defender whose offensive skills are more than respectable.
What can stop the Warriors is trading CP3 just 12 weeks after acquiring him. After 12 weeks of talking to him, he praised his assets and stated that he brings the leadership and court knowledge needed for a deep playoff run. Paul participated in many exercises with new colleagues. There were countless conversations with Golden State coaches.
The Warriors have done an admirable job of selling Paul to themselves and to a skeptical fan base that enjoys nothing more than seeing him lose.
“I’m happy to coach him,” said coach Steve Kerr to reporters this week. “He’s one of the greatest competitors I’ve ever seen; his command of the game, the way he controlled the action.
“His teams tend to get a good shot possession after possession. He understands what it takes to win.”
Kerr’s assessment is correct. That’s why the Warriors pursued Paul in the first week of the summer. Moving him a few days before training camp hurt everyone’s breathless praise and painted the front office in a deep shadow of doubt.
That is the risk. That’s what the Warriors should weigh. There’s a potential downside to shedding CP3 so quickly, even if it means adding a younger player with a very clear upside — and perhaps a smoother fit with the team’s culture.
After all the franchise has done to build credibility around the league and beyond, growing from a founding outpost to a powerhouse that some insist the NBA wants to get in the way of, the last thing it wants of the Warriors is to invite doubt about their integrity.
Measuring accuracy was the first order of business when Joe Lacob, Peter Guber & Co. the franchise from the clumsy, inept leadership of former owner Chris Cohan.
Kevin Durant signed with the Warriors seven years ago because, after careful consideration, he decided he was joining a strong and respected organization, one that focuses on overall quality and consistent pursuit of goals. championship.
In 2013, three years before KD’s arrival, Andre Iguodala reached the same conclusion. Two days after KD’s signing, another deep thinker, David West, saw Golden State as the preferred destination. He signed a minimum contract to put a bow on a great career.
Dealing with Chris Paul before he even plays — after the outcry that he’s the missing piece — almost certainly has players around the league — especially soon-to-be free agents — wondering about the Warriors’ integrity.
What perception will be created if the ownership, management and coaches are too quick to open up to the vision they claim to love? This does not mean that the Warriors should not consider Holiday. He has been voted to the All-Defensive team five times, including the last three seasons. His shooting split in Milwaukee – 49.4 percent from the field, 39.5 from deep, 80.3 from the line – was impressive. He will be an amazing fighter.
In fact, if CP3 has already logged a few games with the Warriors, such a trade shouldn’t be a second thought. Like that? The Warriors are considering a lot.
Sometimes, the impact of a trade goes beyond getting the most attractive player.
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