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Golden State Warriors: 5 Potential Trade Targets

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) during the second quarter during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) during the second quarter during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
December 16, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Sun 128-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns should be heavy sellers at this year’s trade deadline, so why not saunter on up to the watering hole and see who’s available? Markieff Morris may be the best overall player that might be available in Phoenix, but given his reputation of having a bad attitude, it’d be a risk to bring him onboard.

Enter Mirza Teletovic, another Ryan Anderson type who spreads the floor, knocks down three-pointers at a high rate and leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end of the floor.

Teletovic leads all bench players in made three-pointers this season (103) and is shooting 40.6 percent from deep. His $5.5 million salary would work in a trade for Thompson’s $7 million contract, and though the Suns wouldn’t really be interested in the remaining year on Thompson’s deal, they might listen if the Warriors offered to throw in a future first round pick as well.

A first rounder is a high price to pay for Teletovic since he’s an unrestricted free agent this summer, but the Dubs don’t have much more room for incoming talent anyway. Phoenix is one of the few teams that can afford to be patient in waiting for 2019 since they’re more than likely bound for another round of rebuilding.

If general manager Ryan McDonough completely blows the team up, perhaps he’d want to stockpile an extra pick to a trove that already includes Cleveland’s 2016 first-rounder (likely in the 26-28 range), Miami’s 2018 first-rounder (top-seven protected, unprotected in 2019 if not conveyed in 2018), and Miami’s 2021 first-rounder (unprotected).

Teletovic is having a career year in Phoenix, but once free agency hits, the Suns may not want to offer him the kind of contract that would convince him to return to such a depressing situation. If that’s the case, Phoenix is better off trading him now while his value is at its peak rather than lose him for nothing in free agency.

Next: No. 4

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