One Trade That Every Team Should Do
Golden State gets: PF Kostas Papanikolaou, PG Isaiah Canaan, New York's 2015 second-rounder (via Houston)
Houston gets: PG Shaun Livingston, Golden State's 2015 first-rounder
Finances: This one is all about clearing cap for Golden State. Livingston has a $5.5 million annual contract, which leads into next season, and that's something that the Warriors just cannot afford if they want to keep SF/PF Draymond Green in free agency. Papanikolaou and Canaan have team options of $4 million and $1 million respectively, which would be declined in order to keep the Warriors under the second luxury tax. Swapping their first rounder for the Knicks' second-rounder, though it looks bad, probably will change next to nothing as those picks will likely be back-to-back anyways. If Golden State wants to keep their core, they've got to get rid of Livingston.
The Fit: Though Papanikolaou and Canaan are merely cap fillers, they may actually play critical roles as the Warriors look to go all the way this year. Canaan and PG Justin Holiday will fight for backup minutes behind superstar PG Stephen Curry, as Livingston would be gone. Papanikolaou could compete for minutes up front, as Golden State's frontcourt is notoriously thin and injury-prone, their main weakness this season. Should Curry go down with another ankle injury, or one of the big men go down with an injury of their own, Canaan and Papanikolaou would be ready to step up, though likely not beyond this season (see above).
Why the other team does it: For Houston, this would sort of be a last-resort move. If GM Daryl Morey is unable to land PG Goran Dragic via a trade and doesn't think he will be able to sign either him or PG Rajon Rondo in free agency to address the Rockets' need for a floor general, Livingston could be the best available point guard. It's not a bad trade either, as Houston gets a small upgrade by flipping the Knicks' second-rounder for Golden State's first, and Canaan and Papanikolaou were just little-used role players anyways. Livingston, though his $5.5 million contract leading into next year prevents Houston from signing a Dragic or a Rondo, is averaging 5 points on 51% shooting, 3 assists and a steal in just 17 minutes a game. He is a fantastic defender, though has a less than desirable shot, which is pretty much exactly what current PG Patrick Beverley brings to the table. By having two point guards with similar play styles, it allows the rest of the team to not have to adjust each time the other one is subbed in. Though the finances hurt, Houston has to like the draft pick upgrade, and could really use Livingston to help push for the title.
Golden State gets: PF Kostas Papanikolaou, PG Isaiah Canaan, New York's 2015 second-rounder (via Houston)
Houston gets: PG Shaun Livingston, Golden State's 2015 first-rounder
Finances: This one is all about clearing cap for Golden State. Livingston has a $5.5 million annual contract, which leads into next season, and that's something that the Warriors just cannot afford if they want to keep SF/PF Draymond Green in free agency. Papanikolaou and Canaan have team options of $4 million and $1 million respectively, which would be declined in order to keep the Warriors under the second luxury tax. Swapping their first rounder for the Knicks' second-rounder, though it looks bad, probably will change next to nothing as those picks will likely be back-to-back anyways. If Golden State wants to keep their core, they've got to get rid of Livingston.
The Fit: Though Papanikolaou and Canaan are merely cap fillers, they may actually play critical roles as the Warriors look to go all the way this year. Canaan and PG Justin Holiday will fight for backup minutes behind superstar PG Stephen Curry, as Livingston would be gone. Papanikolaou could compete for minutes up front, as Golden State's frontcourt is notoriously thin and injury-prone, their main weakness this season. Should Curry go down with another ankle injury, or one of the big men go down with an injury of their own, Canaan and Papanikolaou would be ready to step up, though likely not beyond this season (see above).
Why the other team does it: For Houston, this would sort of be a last-resort move. If GM Daryl Morey is unable to land PG Goran Dragic via a trade and doesn't think he will be able to sign either him or PG Rajon Rondo in free agency to address the Rockets' need for a floor general, Livingston could be the best available point guard. It's not a bad trade either, as Houston gets a small upgrade by flipping the Knicks' second-rounder for Golden State's first, and Canaan and Papanikolaou were just little-used role players anyways. Livingston, though his $5.5 million contract leading into next year prevents Houston from signing a Dragic or a Rondo, is averaging 5 points on 51% shooting, 3 assists and a steal in just 17 minutes a game. He is a fantastic defender, though has a less than desirable shot, which is pretty much exactly what current PG Patrick Beverley brings to the table. By having two point guards with similar play styles, it allows the rest of the team to not have to adjust each time the other one is subbed in. Though the finances hurt, Houston has to like the draft pick upgrade, and could really use Livingston to help push for the title.