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The Golden State Warriors were surprisingly inactive leading up to the March 25 NBA trade deadline. For some reason, general manager Bob Myers and Co. opted to largely stand pat as Golden State vies for a playoff spot moving forward.
Fast forward less than two weeks, and the Warriors find themselves at 23-27 and as the 10th seed in the Western Conference — clinging to the final play-in spot in the process. Having lost seven of eight, Golden State has also hit a rough patch. That included an humiliating 53-point loss to the Toronto Raptors late last week.
We now have some more information on the Golden State Warriors’ inactivity at the NBA trade deadline courtesy of former center Andrew Bogut.
“I have it on good authority that they had an offer actually for Lonzo Ball and I think a throw-in, a pick, for Oubre and the Warriors turned it down funnily enough, but I thought that was a pretty good deal to shed some salary and get a pick back,” Bogut said on his Rogue Bogues podcast.
So, let’s get this straight. The Warriors were offered Lonzo Ball and a draft pick for an impending free agent in Kelly Oubre who might not fit into their long-term plans? We have no idea what to make of Golden State turning down said offer.
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It was mentioned earlier this season that Golden State had engaged with the New Orleans Pelicans in trade talks surrounding Lonzo Ball. There was obvious interest from the Warriors’ brass. And it made perfect sense.
A former No. 2 pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 23-year-old Ball is having a breakout campaign. He’s averaging 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals on 39% shooting from distance. Acquiring Ball would have taken some of the onus off two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry. And while he’s slated to become a restricted free agent during the summer, the Warriors would have had an opportunity to match any offer.
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As for Oubre, he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The former first-round selection will likely demand north of $20 million per season. He’s also not a natural long-term fit with the Warriors given that Klay Thompson is set to return from injury next season and Andrew Wiggins is currently playing under a long-term contract.
Oubre, 25, is averaging 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds on a lackluster 31% shooting from the field in his first season with the Golden State Warriors.