Warriors trade buzz: Why it's a compelling prospect to 'tank' for Steph Curry-led team

The Golden State Warriors are three years removed from their most recent NBA championship. But ever since they came back to the top of the league, nothing has been the same. Some blame Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole as the reason for their struggles while others say age has caught up with the roster.

After losing three of their last five games, which were wins against the Washington Wizards (6-38) and Chicago Bulls (19-27), the Warriors boast a 22-23 record. A big question circling the team is whether they blow it up and tank or try to compete until the wheels fall off.

In this case, we lean for the first one, as they have tried to bring players like Chris Paul and Buddy Hield to help them return to the Finals without success. The Dubs are better off tanking and seeing what the NBA Draft has in store.

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Why should the Warriors tank this season?

Amid yet another inconsistent season, the Golden State Warriors have questions to answer again. Their core isn't as young as they were in 2022, let alone the early and mid-2010s. Even though Steph Curry is playing at a high level, he's not enough to lead this squad to another championship. Draymond Green is another aging star who isn't making the same impact he had during the team's best years. Andrew Wiggins isn't the same he was three years ago, either and Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney are tradeable pieces they should be looking to move.

On the same note, they have an intriguing group of young players, starting with Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. If the Dubs tank, there is a plethora of options to pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Duke's Cooper Flagg, Rutgers' Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, BYU's Egor Demin and Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis are some of the players they could land to develop to have another chance to create a dynasty down the road.

Without Klay Thompson on the roster, the season has been complicated, and the Dubs know that they must do something to change it. They have two options: to make a trade, perhaps for another aging star like LeBron James or even a reunion with Kevin Durant or blow it up to start over with a new group of players who could renew their championship hopes.