For the 2024–25 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors need all the assistance they can get. Despite adding Dennis Schroder to the mix in a mid-season deal, they have had a difficult season. With a 20-20 record, the Warriors are still outside the Western Conference’s top eight.
Before making a choice, the club is reportedly thoroughly and attentively examining the trade market. Stephen Curry, an All-Star guard, also stated that he did not want Golden State to do any “desperate” actions.
Interestingly, one shooting big man has been linked to the Curry-led team. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Toronto Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk has caught the attention of the organization.
“Two names that I think that are at the top of list to consider for Golden State are Kelly Olynyk from Toronto, who’s absolutely on the open market,” Fischer said. “He’s someone that the Warriors almost traded for at very significant trade conversations with the Utah Jazz last trade deadline, before Olynyk ended up going to Toronto.”
Jake Fischer: Golden State Warriors could be eyeing Kelly Olynyk from the Toronto Raptors. 👀
Says Olynyk is “absolutely on the open market” and that the Dubs almost traded for him last season.
🎥: @BleacherReport @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/Pqp9kBuHEH
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) January 16, 2025
Olynyk missed the first 23 games of the season due to a back injury. This season, he’s played 18 games, averaging 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 14 minutes of action.
The Raptors big man became the organization’s target as they need size this season. With Draymond Green aging, putting him in the center position isn’t ideal anymore. Adding Olynyk gives the team size as he’s 7-feet tall. His ability to knock down shots doesn’t make him a liability on offense.
Several other big men linked to the Warriors
Addressing their center position is at the top of the Warriors’ priority this season. Aside from Olynyk, Golden State has drawn interest in other big men available in the market. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto listed the names of the frontcourt players the organization has explored.
“The Warriors have continued their due diligence on the trade market and inquired about potential frontcourt upgrades, including Nikola Vucevic, John Collins, Jonas Valanciunas, and Robert Williams, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
“Several NBA executives believe Vucevic could cost a first-round pick to pry him from Chicago, given how well he’s played through the first half of the season.”
Warriors eying frontcourt help; per @MikeAScotto
"The Warriors have continued their due diligence on the trade market and inquired about potential frontcourt upgrades, including Nikola Vucevic, John Collins, Jonas Valanciunas, and Robert Williams"
[via https://t.co/fomwtQee8k] pic.twitter.com/vlo378E0eq
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) January 16, 2025
Scotto isn’t the only insider to report about the Warriors’ interest in Vucevic. The Athletic’s Sam Amick has also revealed that Golden State has targeted the European center.
“Nikola Vučević has actually emerged as the more discussed Warriors’ trade target, according to team and league sources. The front office and coaching staff have acknowledged back to training camp this team’s need for a true stretch center, something Curry has never really had,” Amick wrote.
The Golden State Warriors are badly in need of a superstar next to Stephen Curry.
But they aren't likely to pursue Jimmy Butler before the NBA trade deadline, according to sources.
More from @sam_amick, @ThompsonScribe and @anthonyVslater ⤵️https://t.co/1FSX7R3qCS pic.twitter.com/sFI1JQ5xrB
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 4, 2025
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
