The Indiana Pacers have a new star player. The Toronto Raptors finalized a deal with the Pacers, which saw 2-time All-Star Pascal Siakam getting traded to Indiana. The Raptors get Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora, and three first-round draft picks in exchange. The trade shattered the dreams of several teams that wanted to get their hands on Siakam, including the Golden State Warriors.
With Siakam off the table, Stephen Curry and Co. have 3 other options they can chase before the trade deadline to improve their roster.
Possible Pascal Siakam alternatives for the Warriors
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The first option the Warriors could go after is Utah Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen. Lauri got traded to Utah in 2022 in a blockbuster trade with the Cavs involving superstar Donovan Mitchell. The Finnish forward elevated his game with the Jazz and made his first all-star appearance last season. Markkanen will bring a dominant two-way presence to the Warriors, which they are desperately craving this season. The Warriors lack a big man who can protect the paint on defense and get buckets on the other end. The 7-footer could solve that problem. That is why the Warriors have reportedly been in talks with the Utah Jazz to discuss the potential trade.
The second option Stephen Curry and Co. could pursue is Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant. The 6’7 forward joined the Blazers in 2022 to team up with Damian Lillard. But the Blazers parted ways with Dame this summer and started their rebuilding process. That leaves Grant in a team that is nowhere close to contending for the title. The Warriors could use that to their advantage and make an offer to acquire the 29-year-old forward. Grant is averaging 21.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He is a great two-way player who can shoot lights out from the three-point line. His playing style could be perfect in the Warriors system.
The third option the Warriors could go after is Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges. After helping the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021, Bridges is doing wonders in Brooklyn. He is averaging 21.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season. The Warriors could try striking a deal with the Nets and acquire the 27-year-old. Bridges is a talented two-way player with playoff experience. That will fit well with the Warriors’ Championship mentality and help them overcome their struggles.
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But as is the case with superstar trades, they would have to part ways with some pretty significant assets.
What do the Warriors have to offer?
The Dubs have a lot of assets they can trade to acquire one of these star players to turn their season around. There have been rumors about the Warriors looking to part ways with Klay Thompson. Rookie Brandin Podziemski could also be one of the players on the table that could help a rebuilding team like the Blazers. Apart from that, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody could also be packaged in a deal to get their hands on a new star. The latest reports also claimed that the Warriors considered Curry the only untouchable player, with everyone else on the roster being on the table for trade talks.
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Which star do you think the Warriors should go after to make up for the loss of Pascal Siakam? Who will they have to trade away to acquire him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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