The Golden State Warriors are 19-19 on the season, stuck in the middle of the Western Conference while looking destined for a third Play-In appearance in five seasons. The lack of activity by the team's front office has been jarring, as the Warriors haven't brought Stephen Curry a co-star after extensively searching for one in the summer. With the team reportedly not interested in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, the Warriors need to look elsewhere for reinforcements.
The center position is a glaring hole. The Warriors alternate between starting Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney, but neither seems like an immediate solution. Jackson-Davis is a sophomore with room to grow, but the Warriors need to prioritize having a better center ahead of him to give the Warriors' offense another dimension.
A center acquisition should likely be made soon. In our opinion, the franchise should analyze the market for stretch-fives. Let's take a look at three options for the Warriors to reinforce their big-man rotation.
Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Golden State Warriors Receive: Nikola Vucevic ($20.0 million)
Chicago Bulls Receive: Gary Payton II ($9.1 million), Lindy Waters III ($2.1 million), Kevon Looney ($8.0 million), 2026 Second-Round Pick (ATL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
Nikola Vucevic is probably the best-performing center of anyone on this list, having a great season for the Chicago Bulls. He's averaging 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, reinvigorating his value around the NBA, especially with his improved three-point jumper, shooting 43.3% on 4.8 attempts this season.
The Warriors can send out a package of a veteran big man and two perimeter specialists alongside second-round picks to try and snag Vucevic. His value won't be as high as a smaller role on a contender will inevitably result in a dip in production. This might be a realistic middle-ground offer, with no other contender in the market for a center like Vucevic being able to outbid the Warriors.
Vucevic adds a whole world of post-offense that the Warriors haven't had in the Curry era. The Warriors anyway use Draymond Green as a de-facto center on defense, so Vucevic's verticality will help deter attempts at the rim and give the Warriors a rebounding force that would greatly improve their prospects this season.
Myles Turner
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors Receive: Myles Turner ($19.9 million)
Indiana Pacers Receive: Gary Payton II, Trayce Jackson-Davis ($1.8 million), Kevon Looney, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW)
The hardest target to acquire on this list is probably Myles Turner.
Turner is averaging 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds on 39.0% shooting from three for the Indiana Pacers this season, having another solid year as one of the few high-volume rim-protecting three-point shooting centers in the NBA. With other players in a similar mold, such as Kristaps Porzingis and Victor Wembanyama unavailable for trades, the Warriors need to pounce on acquiring Turner.
The contending Pacers don't have much reason to give up on Turner, but a first-round return for an expiring contract would be mega. They also land both Looney and Jackson-Davis to ensure they have competent center play this season with Thomas Bryant remaining as the sole playable big in Indiana. The pick is the real asset, as the Warriors have been trending downward and could realistically be a lottery team in 2027.
The Warriors add a perfect offensive fit to their roster. Turner could be a star within the Warriors' motion offense while also being a genuine rim-protector playing behind a defensive asset like Draymond Green. His skill set might be as heightened as possible in Golden State, giving this move the highest ceiling on success on the list.
John Collins
Nov 14, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Golden State Warriors Receive: John Collins ($26.5 million)
Utah Jazz Receive: Buddy Hield ($8.7 million), Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, 2026 Second-Round Pick (ATL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (ATL)
The Utah Jazz are headed to the bottom of the NBA Draft lottery this season but have had several bright spots on the roster. One of them is John Collins, who the team acquired in 2023 as a redemption project from the Atlanta Hawks after being considered one of the worst contracts in the NBA. Now, Collins is averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds as a multi-positional forward and small-ball center.
His contract has two years left and isn't looking as bad, with the fewer years and the general cap spikes in the NBA making it a more palatable deal. His production is living up to that this season, especially with his 43.8% shooting from three. He is a vertical threat on offense who can shoot threes while also being a high-energy three-level defender.
The Warriors send out a package of solid veterans, whom the Jazz can easily flip for additional assets, alongside receiving two picks. Collins' contract is better but not many contenders will be willing to make the sacrifices required to acquire him. The Warriors don't have a second-star contract and can use this as a short-term deal to make the squad competitive.
