The Golden State Warriors have never been shy about leaning into their identity: pace, space, and a healthy dose of basketball IQ. But even with the addition of veteran big man Al Horford in the offseason, there’s still a noticeable gap in the middle of the floor - and it’s starting to show.
According to Cleaning The Glass, the Warriors currently rank 17th in the league in defensive field-goal percentage within four feet of the rim. Translation?
Opponents are getting - and converting - high-percentage looks at the basket far too often.
That stat underscores what Warriors fans have seen with their own eyes: Golden State lacks a true rim protector. Horford brings experience, floor spacing, and smarts, but at this stage in his career, he’s not the kind of vertical deterrent that makes drivers think twice. And while Draymond Green is still a defensive savant, he’s best used as a roving disruptor rather than a primary shot blocker.
That’s why a recent trade proposal making the rounds has sparked some real intrigue. The idea, floated by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, suggests a move that could address the Warriors’ interior defense without compromising the spacing that Steve Kerr’s system depends on. Here’s the framework:
Warriors receive:
- Myles Turner
Bucks receive:
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Brandin Podziemski
Now, let’s break this down. Myles Turner isn’t just a stretch big - he’s one of the rare few who can knock down threes and anchor a defense.
Since last season, he’s hit nearly 40% of his shots from beyond the arc, and he’s a two-time league leader in blocks. That’s not just rare - that’s unicorn territory.
In theory, Turner would be a seamless fit in Golden State’s system. He can space the floor on offense, which keeps the paint open for Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to do their thing, and he brings legitimate rim protection on the other end. That’s the kind of two-way impact the Warriors haven’t had in the middle since the brief but effective JaVale McGee era - and Turner would be a significant upgrade.
Of course, there’s a cost. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski are two of the Warriors’ most promising young talents.
Kuminga, in particular, has shown flashes of becoming a two-way force, and Podziemski’s feel for the game has turned heads early in his career. Giving up both would be a big bet on the present - and a signal that Golden State is still all-in on maximizing the Curry window.
But here’s where things get tricky: Turner is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks, and it’s tough to imagine them letting him go so soon after clearing cap space - including waiving Damian Lillard - to bring him in this past summer. Moving on from Turner after just a few months would raise eyebrows, to say the least.
Still, if the Bucks were ever open to a deal, Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. and team governor Joe Lacob would have to take a long, hard look. Golden State’s roster, as currently constructed, has talent and pedigree, but it’s missing that one piece in the middle - someone who can protect the rim without clogging the lane on offense.
Turner might not be the superstar name fans dream about, but he’s exactly the type of high-impact, low-maintenance player who could elevate the Warriors on both ends. He’d give them a new look defensively, help their transition game by cleaning the glass and starting breaks, and stretch the floor as a legitimate threat from deep. That’s not just filling a hole - that’s reshaping the team's ceiling.
The Warriors have always walked the line between developing young talent and contending for titles. If an opportunity like this presents itself, it may be time to tip the scales toward one last serious run.