Warriors Trade Rumors: Steph Curry and Co. inquired about $125,000,00 forward and ex-Celtics center to bolster frontcourt depth

The Steph Curry-led Golden State Warriors remain in the hunt to improve their roster ahead of the trade deadline. Similar to many other teams, the Warriors need frontcourt help. They continue to be one of the most undersized teams in the NBA, which impacts them on both ends of the floor.

According to the latest NBA trade rumors, the Warriors have inquired about four potential targets. The list includes players like Jonas Valanciunas and Nikola Vucevic, who were reportedly on their radar. Two new names have emerged in Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto's Thursday report.

They are Utah Jazz's $125,000,000 forward John Collins and ex-Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III.

"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," Scotto reported.

The Golden State Warriors are seemingly exploring buy-low options. Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and Draymond Green have aligned with the franchise's approach of maintaining two timelines and not mortgaging their entire future in pursuit of a blockbuster move.

That leaves the Warriors with room for marginal improvements only. Vucevic, Collins, Valanciunas and Williams all seem to buy blow options for various reasons. The Warriors have the contracts and the necessary draft capital to engage in deals with their respective trade partners.

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Warriors trade rumors: Are John Collins and Robert Williams III ideal candidates to play next to Steph Curry?

The Golden State Warriors need additional scorers next to Steph Curry and defensive reinforcements. Among their listed targets, John Collins, Nikola Vucevic and Jonas Valanciunas are players who provide an offensive punch. Meanwhile, Robert Williams III gives them more defensive versatility, especially on the interior.

Collins has two years left on his $125,000,000 contract, which he signed in 2021 with the Atlanta Hawks. The final year of his deal has a player option worth $26,580,0000, the same amount he makes this year. He's the most expensive player on this list from a salary standpoint.

Collins is averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on 52.5% shooting, including 43.8% from 3, which would make him the second-best scorer on the Warriors behind Steph Curry and their best rebounder.

Realistically, the Warriors could engage in a straight swap with the Jazz, including Andrew Wiggins, who makes $26.2 million this season. However, while the Warriors get a better scorer and rebounder out of this deal, they lose their best perimeter defender in Wiggins.

The Jazz also might be keen on younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody and the Warriors might be reluctant to part ways with the duo for a player of Collins' caliber.

Meanwhile, Robert Williams III is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. He's also affordable because of his $12.4 million salary. The Warriors can use different trade packages, including deals centered around Dennis Schroder's expiring $13 million contract or Kevon Looney's $8 million expiring deal with a minimum contract.

However, the main issue with Williams is his health and availability. He's played 12 games this season, six last year and 35 in 2022-23 in his final season with the Boston Celtics.

As on-court fits, Collins and Williams are solid additions to consider, but variables like the former's contract and the latter's injury-proneness make it difficult for the Warriors to green-lit either deal.