Golden State Warriors: Do trade deadline moves provide tougher challenges?

Arguably one of the most chaotic and shocking trade deadlines has come and gone, with many teams making a splash. Unsurprisingly, the Golden State Warriors made no such moves. Did other teams make up ground on them?

The Golden State Warriors have been one of the few teams fortunate enough to sit back and watch the NBA trade deadline frenzy unfold. Their strong lineup continues to reward the franchise in more than just on-court achievements, and the team looks primed to continue its dominance.

With no concerns about losing big names in free agency for nothing, the Warriors were able to watch the NBA landscape unfold from afar.

The team has run into its fair share of challenges this season, and already has 13 losses. They’ve been bitten by the injury bug at times, and ejections have become far too common. This season has seen other teams step up and provide a challenge to the Warriors. Moves made at the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline may just challenge the Warriors further.

The changing league

The league has changed. In a matter of days, Dwyane Wade is back on the Miami Heat, Isaiah Thomas is with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberbulls (sorry, Timberwolves) may be adding Derrick Rose. Let’s not forget as well that the Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten younger.

All of this symbolizes great change, and it poses a threat to the Warriors. The team is the same because it didn’t need to change. It’s about as good as it can be and the squad is very strong. But staying the same means that improving teams can close the gap, and that may just happen as we prepare for the home stretch.

Fellow contenders are improving

Teams such as the Heat and Timberwolves are decent, and these improvements are helpful for the playoff run, but they aren’t real threats to the Warriors at the moment. The true threats are the Cavs, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics. A week ago, I wouldn’t have included the Cavs in that sentence. They have, however, gotten younger and more athletic, and that’s the only way to compete with the league’s best teams.

While their moves didn’t come during the final days leading up to the trade deadline, the Celtics and Rockets both added strong pieces. Boston added a solid big man in Greg Monroe to help in the rotation, while the Rockets added Gerald Green, who has turned out to be a nice addition, along with Brandan Wright and now Joe Johnson on the buyout market.

All three teams have seemingly made-up ground on the Warriors, and this shouldn’t be taken lightly. The moves weren’t game-changers but they have and will certainly make things interesting.

Recognizing sleeping threats

Additionally, teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are also true threats. The Thunder have beaten the Warriors both times they’ve played each other this season. They’ll face-off two more times, but they may also meet in the playoffs.

As for the Spurs, the Warriors are set to meet them on Saturday for the first time this season. We have yet to find out how they’ll match up against the Dubs.

Next: Biggest winners and losers of the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline

The 2018 NBA Trade Deadline didn’t see too many blockbuster moves occur, but there were definitely some shocks. The landscape of the league has changed, but maybe not to the point where it will shake things up for the Warriors. Ultimately, we will find out soon. With the All-Star Game looming, watch for teams to really lock in their plans for the stretch run.