Serge Ibaka (Photo : Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors could be forced to consider exploring the market before the February 2017 trade deadline, with the Cleveland Cavaliers adding another piece to their championship roster by acquiring Kyle Korver from the Atlanta Hawks.
Many expect the Warriors to still repeat as NBA Finalists for the third-straight year. The addition of Kevin Durant this past summer supplemented any of those talks, and with Golden State back atop the league standings, the Warriors' All-Star casts have a great chance to win the title back to the Bay Area.
However, the Cavs have significantly closed the gap with the Warriors with the addition of Korver, who is shooting 44.1 percent from the field this season, including 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post believes Cleveland's latest move few weeks leading up to the trade deadline could only setup teams to explore major deals, which could also force the Warriors to tinker their current roster. And while Golden State has yet to show any signs of considering trade deadline deals, there are a handful of players the Warriors could consider to keep in the driver's seat to challenge Cleveland for the championship.
Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are also among the teams looking to sell on the trade market, with Chicago having a valuable trade piece in Taj Gibson, who has already linked to trade rumors since the offseason.
The 31-year-old forward is arguably playing the best season of his career, averaging 12.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. However, his impending free agency could force the Bulls to trade Gibson for something in return.
Gibson would give the Warriors a solid option at the frontcourt and could address the team's need of a defensive big man. Any of the team's big men hasn't filled the void left by Andrew Bogut, but adding Gibson could somehow help the Warriors close the gap.
The Bulls could sell Gibson low, knowing that he could walk away in free agency this summer. A package of Shaun Livingston and Zaza Pachulia could get a potential deal done, although it remains to be seen whether the Bulls would approve such trade.
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
If the Warriors do not want to break up their core roster, which is likely what the team would do, Golden State could instead opt for a minor roster change by pursuing Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel.
Many expect the 76ers to deal Noel, with Philadelphia yet to address its crowded frontcourt. While Noel has only been in limited action for Brett Brown after returning from a knee injury, his ability to protect the rim would surely come in handy for the Warriors against the Cavs.
Trading Livingston for Noel could work for the 76ers, who are in deep need of a reliable playmaker. However, Noel, a restricted free agent in the summer of 2017, could basically become an end-of-the season rental for the Warriors, who will need plenty of cap space to retain soon-to-be free agents like Durant and Stephen Curry.
Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic
The Magic have yet to put Serge Ibaka on the trading block, but his impending free agency may suggest that he is readily available at the right price.
The Magic traded for Ibaka on draft night hoping that his acquisition would help the team get more wins this season. While Ibaka has emerged as Orlando's best player, averaging 15.5 points and 6.9 rebounds a game, the Magic have failed to capitalize on his remarkable performance, with the team only sitting at 12th place in the East.
Ibaka would be the perfect addition for the Warriors and could fit playing under Steve Kerr's schemes. His 1.8 blocks a game would be a tremendous boost for the Warriors' interior defense that allows 43.3 Opponent Points a game, and his improved shooting from the three-point area (38.4 percent this season) would also a fitting addition for Golden State.
It is also worth noting that Ibaka has played well with Durant during their stint together in OKC, which should help the former instantly adapt to the Warriors' style of play.
Trading for Ibaka, an unrestricted free agent this coming summer, may cost the Warriors Livingston and Pachulia, who are also on expiring deals and would give the Magic flexible cap space in free agency. It may not be the best deal the Magic could get for Ibaka, but it should be at the back of the team's mind to consider getting something in return for the shot-blocking forward.
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