Warriors implosion and chance to poach Steph Curry?
The Golden State Warriors coughed up a 31 point lead in the 3rd quarter last night and lost to the themselves dysfunctional LA Clippers, lost DeMarcus Cousins to season ending injury too. Even without watching any second of the game tape, just basing on what I have witnessed in the past like the Shaq-Kobe rift leading to the otherwise invincible Lakers' implosion and losing the title to the Detroit Pistons, I am inclined to predict we are seeing an implosion within the mighty Golden State Warriors.
All of a sudden, at least 6 teams are motivated to give their best shot because where as there was seemingly not path to the top, it's beginning to look like the red sea might have just parted. Yes, whoever makes it to the finals this year now has a good chance of actually winning the championship.
But if you are Masai, would you not look even further at potential opportunities from the fallout? Last season, I was crazy enough to say let's get Kawhi Leonard when his irreconcilable differences with San Antonio was first reported. It has come to pass despite the skepticism I got here.
Now, let's think about the implications of a Golden State implosion. Say if they lost Durant, Green and maybe Thompson, then it wouldn't be prudent to hold on to Curry not because he's bad as he's very very good but because of the length of his contract being not compatible with a reset. Probably Curry himself wouldn't want to be on a team on it's way to becoming lame duck before it can become great again. So what will Golden State do? Probably look to trade Curry for a player who skill wise compared to Curry would be similar to how DeRozan compared to Leonard - in other words, not as good but certainly won't make the GM into a butt of jokes like Rob Babcock traded Vince Carter for peanuts - but on a shorter or expiring contract, whose contract money wise can make the trade possible and whose mother team wouldn't hesitate to give away. This might be wishful thinking but I am thinking Kyle Lowry fits all that.
Excluding this year, Curry will be making 40, 43 and 46 million the next 3 seasons at age 31, 32, 33. Throw in another Raptor who makes 10 million likewise on an expiring contract and this should all work out. Is it worth it?