One is Less Than Two

[Cyrisnyte]

Golden State had been quite for the most part with the trade deadline upon the CSL. Their biggest push had been trying to get some value in return for Tim Quarterman, their soon to be UFA from LSU. Calls were made and some agreements seemed they were on the verge of happening, just to fall through in the eleventh hour. They pretty much were ready to just settle in and face the rest of the season as is.

Then the call came in from Orlando and WillyJakkz asking about the potential availability of Derrick Favors. Favors had came over during Cyrisnyte's last run as the Golden State GM. That had been a world wind of a trade deadline push as big talent such as Favors, Durant and Harden had all come in to the fold for the Warriors in a very small window. Now Cyrisnyte needed to make a choice to move on from Favors.

The Warriors were sitting at 27-24 and just come off a huge loss to the Lakers by a score of 89-121. Injuries had riddled the Warriors this season with Harden missing 17 games and Favors out with a broken hand. It seemed as though, once again this was a team destined to limp into the playoffs and get bounced early. Now though it was time to make a choice. The Warriors had reservations already about bringing back an aging Favors to a team that already had an older Kevin Durant under contract and the soon to be pursuit on signing yet another older player in FA in James Harden.

The answer was "yes" to WillyJakkz and the three team trade.

The first piece of the trade was 24 year old Power Forward Noah Vonleh. Vonleh was now moving on to his 6th team at only 24 years of age in the CSL. But with the Warriors, it made a lot of sense as they could finally shift people to where they truly wanted them. No longer would Kevin Durant be the starting PF for the Warriors, but he could finally move back to SF which allowed James Harden to move back to SG. This is what the Warriors had wanted for some time. Being able to bring Jabari Bird and Tim Quarterman off the bench to relieve these two and thus reducing the minutes of dependency on them.

The second piece of the trade was 28 year old Center Boban Marjanovic. The Warriors, while deep at Center did not have someone they were happy with putting in the starting five until this trade took place. While the Warriors may have the tallest group of Centers in the league (6 centers all at 7'0" or taller) they were not that deep in regards to players who were capable of taking the floor in the CSL. Now though, they had Marjanovic and they were ready to see what he and Vonleh could do for the Warriors.

So what have the helped the Warriors succeed so far? Since the trade the Warriors have gone 6-0, moving their record to 33-24 and chasing Portland for the 5th best record in the West. What about each player you ask?

Noah Vonleh has averaged - 10.3 Points, 10.5 Rebounds and 0.8 blocks
Boban Marjanovic has averaged - 13.8 Points, 10.7 Rebounds and 1.3 blocks

While Derrick Favors was the "best player" in the trade, the Warriors are happy with the addition of two players that have allowed them to fix their needs as a team. They have gotten younger, have players under contract heading into FA and most importantly have KD and The Beard where they want them playing.

Will this move payoff in the end? They playoffs will be the answer for that.

[Cleasby]

I liked the moves for you as I mentioned in the podcast you essentially move one guy favours for 2 guys who can add a bit more for you come playoff time. All about how you manage the teams strategy when you get there for.

[WillyJakkz]

It's no secret I really love your team. I had no idea how well they'd fit, just saw you guys had a need for a PF and C and we had a need for a PF.

The Warriors are playing sensational basketball with the win over the Suns yesterday in PHX being a testament to just how good you guys can be.

[hardenwithnod]

That was a good move for you to extend your window with KD/Harden as your main pieces, as Favors is set to expire, and will decline rating wise next season. Vonleh, and Boban gives you a much more complete starting five, and allow a guy like Bird/Quartermann to play off the bench, and maximize your bench output.

[blackice]

Come playoff time you have two guys in Durant/Harden who can create their own offense and that is valuable once defenses start to key in and you're getting opponents best strats game to game. Boban in particular is a guy I really wanted for a long time and if you can figure out the bench this team could go far in the postseason.

[Marcos_Beck]

Can’t argue, Jeff. You got younger, deeper, arguably as talented and moved your best players to their natural position. Of course it paid off, and the results are showing.

This will be a dangerous team come playoff time unless you have a very good shooting team who can play D without fouling. Not many have those.