As the Feb. 5 trade deadline inches closer, the Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads. With their championship window narrowing and the Western Conference as competitive as ever, the front office is under pressure to make a move that can spark a midseason turnaround. But if you’re hoping for a blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, you might want to pump the brakes.
While the idea of Giannis donning a Warriors jersey is the kind of headline that gets fans dreaming, it’s far from a lock. The reality is, Milwaukee isn’t exactly eager to part with their two-time MVP, and Golden State may not have the assets-or the leverage-to pull off that kind of seismic deal this season.
So, what’s plan B?
One scenario being floated involves a much more modest name: Lonzo Ball. The former Lakers and current Bulls guard has been mentioned as a potential target in a deal centered around Buddy Hield.
The logic? While Ball is far from the player many once envisioned, his skill set might still fit within Golden State’s system-at least on paper.
Ball is currently on a $10 million deal with a team option for next season, giving any acquiring team a bit of flexibility. But his numbers this year tell a sobering story: 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting just 29.9% from the field and 26.2% from beyond the arc. Those are tough numbers to overlook, especially for a team trying to maximize what’s left of Stephen Curry’s prime.
Still, there’s a case to be made that Ball’s versatility-particularly his defensive instincts and playmaking-could offer more to Golden State than what they’re currently getting from Hield. The Warriors have struggled with perimeter defense and ball movement consistency this season, and Ball, even in his diminished form, might address some of those issues.
A potential deal could involve Hield and a minimum-salary player like Gary Payton II or Trayce Jackson-Davis, possibly in a multi-team trade designed to help Cleveland manage its payroll. That kind of move would likely require Golden State to throw in a couple of second-round picks-assets they’re currently short on, which could complicate things.
But here’s the bigger question: Does Lonzo Ball move the needle?
The Warriors aren’t in the business of making lateral moves. They’re in the business of chasing banners.
And while Ball once had the upside of a franchise-altering point guard, injuries and inconsistency have taken their toll. Since entering the league in 2017, he’s appeared in just 321 regular-season games-a number that speaks volumes about his availability, or lack thereof.
For a team with championship aspirations, adding a player in the midst of his least productive season doesn’t exactly scream "win-now." And while Hield hasn’t been the answer the Warriors hoped for when they brought him in, swapping him for Ball may not be the kind of upgrade that shifts the trajectory of the season.
The Warriors are at a pivotal moment. They can’t afford to waste any more time-or Steph’s greatness-on short-term gambles that don’t deliver. If a bigger move isn’t on the table, they’ll need to think carefully about whether any trade, even a smaller one, truly helps them get where they want to go.
Because in this league, standing still can be just as costly as moving in the wrong direction.