Through his first 12 games, Klay is averaging just 14.6 points per game while shooting 42% from the field. These numbers are well below what we’re accustomed to seeing from one of the greatest shooters of all time.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that klay has not been the same as of late. If his struggles persist it could potentially hold the team back from achieving their championship goals. Considering their championship window with Steph is coming to a close, a trade that brings in an all-star caliber young guard who can step in and immediately boost their offense might be something the Dubs have to explore, however unpopular it may be with loyal Warriors supporters.
These would be my 4 picks for a potential klay replacement,
Luka Doncic: As possibly the best young talent in the league, swapping Klay for Luka would give the Warriors a true star to build around alongside Steph for the long run. Luka is already one of the best passers and creators in the NBA and he’s still improving. His combination of skills would be a great fit alongside Steph.
Trey Young: Like Luka, Trey is already an elite scorer and playmaker at a young age. While not as strong a defender as Klay yet, his offensive prowess could help pick up some of the scoring slack. Trey’s range and ball-handling would space the floor nicely for Steph.
SGA: While not as proven as Luka/Trey yet, SGA has demonstrated he can be the No. 1 option on a team and is just starting to enter his prime. His two-way ability fits well with the Warriors’ style. Trading Klay for SGA takes some pressure off Steph while adding a young All-Star talent.
LaMelo Ball: LaMelo’s unique passing and ball-handling would be a thrill to watch paired with Steph. While risky given his inexperience, LaMelo’s ceiling may be highest of the four options. Trading Klay to add the young star power of LaMelo could pay big dividends.
I know this post is probably going to get a lot of flak, especially from die hard warriors fans, but I think it’s time to move on from klay. Any of these talented young guards could infuse the Warriors roster with new life alongside Steph for years to come. Luka and Trey may be the safest bets, but SGA and LaMelo have enormous ceilings and would be a fantastic fit if they reach their potential.
Pretty sure the only way the Warriors are going to get off of Klay and get one of those players back is if they package him with Curry and send picks.
They might be able to talk Chicago into three team deal where they send out Klay and picks for Lavine or Derozan, but… There’s a low probability that Chicago’s going to be able to use Klay, so there’s going to have to be a pretty solid sweetner with their picks to make that work. Lavine kinda fits a bit better on their timeline too, so that might be possible.