Over the last two days, the Golden State Warriors have landed James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and announced Klay Thompson would miss the entire 2020-21 season due to an Achilles injury.
Following their busy start to the official offseason, the Warriors are staying active in the NBA trade market.
With a $17.2 million trade exception in their arsenal, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly close to completing a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors are finalizing a trade to acquire Kelly Oubre Jr. from the Oklahoma City Thunder for a protected first-round pick.
Via @wojespn on Twitter:
The Golden State Warriors are finalizing a trade to acquire Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kelly Oubre, Jr., for a 2021 protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020
The first-round pick Golden State is sending to Oklahoma City Thunder will be protected from 1-20. If the Warriors land in the top 20 picks, Golden State will send the Thunder a pair of second-rounders, per Wojnarowski.
Sources: The Warriors will only convey that first-round pick next season should they finish 21-to-30 in the final regular season standings. If the Warriors land in the top 20, they’ll send two second-round picks to OKC. https://t.co/ltzvx7cIhQ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020
Golden State can take on Oubre’s $14.4 million salary with the $17.2 million trade exception they acquired from the Andre Iguodala trade with the Memphis Grizzlies from the 2019 offseason.
Triggering the trade exception will cause Golden State’s luxury tax to balloon to a staggering $134 million, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. However, if the Warriors plan to compete for a deep run in the Western Conference, they will need to get creative following Thompson’s injury.
Via @BobbyMarks42 on ESPN:
Golden State tax bill is currently $66M
The addition of Kelly Oubre would see it increase to $134M
$14.4M of Oubre + $68M in taxes= $82.4M
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 19, 2020
In his first season as a full-time starter in the NBA, Oubre Jr. averaged 18.7 points on 45.2% shooting from the field with 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes per contest for the Phoenix Suns. Over his career, the 24-year-old has steadily improved his scoring and rebounding numbers.
At 6-foot-7, Oubre Jr. brings a level of versatility to the lineup alongside Stephen Curry. The 2017 first-round pick can slash to the rim with an explosive first step and underrated ball-handling. Shooting 32.9% from beyond the arc in his career, Oubre Jr. has shown the ability to step out for a catch and shoot 3-pointer.
Oubre Jr.’s feisty defense adds more size to Golden State’s already lengthy defensive unit with Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Wiseman.
While Oubre won’t make up for Thompson’s production alone, acquiring the Kansas Jayhawks product is a step in the right direction.
