Golden State Warriors: 5 Potential NBA Trade Deadline Deals

By Ti Windisch | Feb 19, 2017

January 8, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors defeated the Kings 117-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Jan 29, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) tries to keep the ball away from Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the second overtime at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Getting A Big Man From New York

This has been one of my favorite trade ideas for a while now. Kyle O’Quinn is sneakily the best center on the New York Knicks (if we’re counting Kristaps Porzingis as a forward, of course.) O’Quinn is actually one of the better defensive centers in the NBA.

No player to play at least 40 games and defend at least one field goal attempt within six feet of the rim per game holds opponents to a lower percentage differential compared to what they typically shoot there than O’Quinn, and only Roy Hibbert holds opponents to a lower percentage overall.

Opposing players who O’Quinn defends near the paint shoot 13.7 percent worse than usual in that six-foot area. He can really make a difference on defense, and could make Golden State even better on that end.

O’Quinn is the shot-blocking rim protector the Warriors have been missing. With the Knicks still a disaster and looking to retool around Porzingis going forward, maybe Pachulia’s expiring deal and the Dubs’ 2019 first is enough to steal New York’s 26-year-old defensive monster.

Bill Simmons suggested a different trade including two of the Baby Warriors and Pachulia, but I almost feel like Golden State would rather part with a future pick than two players who they might need as early as next year.

Home/Golden State Warriors