The Golden State Warriors are at a familiar crossroads - one that’s become all too common in the post-Durant era: they’re still searching for a reliable third star to support Stephen Curry and a roster that’s aging around him.
Back when the Warriors were steamrolling the NBA in the late 2010s, they had a clear Big Three: Steph, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant. That trio didn’t just win - they overwhelmed.
And even in 2022, when they clawed their way back to the top, it was Curry leading the charge with help from either Jordan Poole or Andrew Wiggins, depending on who had the hot hand that night. But now?
The third pillar hasn’t emerged.
Golden State had high hopes that Jonathan Kuminga might be the next to rise - a young, athletic wing who could grow into stardom next to Curry and Jimmy Butler, who’s now part of the mix. But Kuminga’s development hasn’t taken that leap, and the patience is starting to wear thin. That’s why the trade chatter is heating up again.
One proposed move making the rounds: sending Kuminga to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Zach LaVine - a two-time All-Star and one of the league’s more dynamic scoring guards.
On paper, LaVine checks a lot of boxes. He brings the kind of offensive burst this Warriors team sorely lacks when Curry sits or draws extra defensive attention.
He’s a three-level scorer with elite athleticism and the ability to create his own shot - especially when the clock is winding down. That last part matters.
Too often, the Warriors' offense stalls late in possessions if Curry doesn’t have the ball or the defense sells out to stop him.
A core of Curry, LaVine, Butler, and Draymond Green - supported by a bench that still has some depth - could be a nightmare matchup in the postseason. That group has the tools to weather cold shooting nights and grind through defensive battles.
But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one: does adding LaVine actually elevate Golden State into true contention? And is it worth giving up young pieces like Kuminga and Moses Moody - plus the necessary salary filler - to find out?
It’s not the first time LaVine’s name has been linked to the Warriors. Even before he landed in Sacramento ahead of last season’s trade deadline, he was rumored to be on Golden State’s radar as they tried to jolt a team stuck in neutral.
There’s also a stylistic fit to consider. Curry thrives when surrounded by wings who can stretch the floor and keep defenses honest.
That’s part of what made his partnerships with Klay and KD so lethal. LaVine, who struggled early in his career from deep (just 34.1% as a rookie), has since evolved into a legitimate long-range threat.
He’s now a career 39.0% shooter from beyond the arc, and he’s still got plenty of bounce in his game.
This season, LaVine is putting up 20.7 points per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 37.8% from three. Those are strong numbers, especially considering the Kings are currently sitting at a dismal 5-16. He’s producing despite the chaos - and that’s exactly the kind of player the Warriors could use to take pressure off Curry and Butler.
The question isn’t whether LaVine could help. It’s whether the Warriors are ready to go all-in - again - for a player who might move the needle, but doesn’t guarantee a return to championship glory. With Kuminga still showing flashes but not quite delivering, the front office has a decision to make: stay the course with youth and potential, or push the chips in for a proven scorer who could help right now.
The clock is ticking, and in a crowded Western Conference, standing still can be just as risky as making the wrong move.