Kristaps Porzingis is officially looking at retirement, but don’t think his $20 million contract is just going to sit there doing nothing. Nope, the Golden State Warriors are trying to flip that bad boy into a trade exception, and they want to solidify their team depth without blowing their options for the trade deadline. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Porzingis is expected to accept a significant buyout, which opens up this wild play for the Dubs’ front office. This move is all about getting creative and strengthening the roster now.
The Warriors’ Sneaky Game Plan for Porzingis’s Deal
The Warriors are on the hunt, using Porzingis’s retiring contract as a golden ticket. Siegel confirmed with league sources that Golden State has already reached out to three teams specifically: the New Orleans Pelicans, the Chicago Bulls, and the Milwaukee Bucks. This isn’t just some casual chat, either. The Dubs are trying to make a move in the next month, well before the trade deadline even looms large. It shows how committed they are to improving their roster without sacrificing future flexibility. You gotta respect the hustle when a team tries to turn a tricky situation into a major advantage.
Pelicans, Bucks, and the Jalen Smith Question Mark
When it comes to the New Orleans Pelicans, there’s a long history here. Golden State has reportedly been eyeing Pelicans wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones for ages. They even called New Orleans earlier this season about center Yves Missi. But let’s be real, if a deal hasn’t happened by now, it’s fair to be skeptical, especially with the trade deadline still months away. Over with the Milwaukee Bucks, Siegel’s intel suggests the Warriors weren’t close to a deal for Myles Turner, mostly because the two sides had wildly different ideas about what his contract was actually worth. No surprise there, contract valuations are always a sticking point.
Then there’s the Chicago Bulls and their center Jalen Smith. Now this is where things get interesting. Siegel reported that the Warriors showed real interest in Smith for a potential Porzingis-oriented trade. The catch? The Bulls aren’t exactly jumping for joy right now. They want to evaluate their roster closer to the trade deadline, especially if draft compensation isn’t on the table. Even though they started the year as one of the worst teams in the NBA, they’re playing it cool. Smith would be an absolutely excellent addition for the Warriors’ front court. He might not have the explosive ceiling Porzingis was supposed to bring, but he’s a well-rounded role player. He’d give Head Coach Steve Kerr another center who can actually shoot threes, a welcome relief from relying on a 40-year old Al Horford for that. Smith was the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft for the Phoenix Suns, but never found his rhythm there. He was even seen as a bust around the league until he started finding consistency with the Indiana Pacers. That kind of turnaround player could be exactly what the Warriors need. The front office has its work cut out for them, but finding a way to land Smith would be a massive win before the deadline even hits.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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