The Warriors, who were one of the major players this trade deadline, traded Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga to the Hawks, and got Kristaps Porzingis in return. While securing the big Latvian and finally ending the Kuminga saga, one that has been plaguing them since the offseason, is good. However, the trade is also indicative of a not-so-promising reality for the Dubs.
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It seems like the Warriors ran out of steam on the Giannis Antetokounmpo chase. And Porzingis was, in essence, them doing something rather than nothing.
That’s at least what basketball insider Anthony Slater thinks, who spoke about the Warriors’ latest organizational shift during Thursday’s NBA Today broadcast. “They struck out on Giannis. That’s just the reality,” he stated.
The Giannis miss is unfortunate because Steph Curry is playing lights out this year, carrying Golden State on his back. It’s a shame that a terrific Chef season might go to waste.
The former dynasty is in a strange limbo transition. They are good enough to make the postseason, but it doesn’t look like they would be able to compete against the elites of the West. Slater even suggested that the failure to land Giannis was the Dubs admitting that they cannot go for a ring, even though it shows that they plan to be competitive.
Warriors need to get Kristaps Porzingis in the building — and through the Rick Celebrini clearance protocol — but internal expectation is he should be ready to make his GSW debut in the near future, maybe as early as Saturday night at the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/fNGX33T1q4
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 5, 2026
“They went to their small swing, and I think it was a silent admission that the championship hopes are not necessarily there. They didn’t get Giannis. But Porzingis is a guy they’ve targeted since the Boston days. A stretch center that can rim protect next to Draymond Green that they think can help,” explained Slater.
Of course, the insider is not ruling out that Golden State may play for a bigger superstar in the summer, which includes loading up a better package for the Greek Freak if he’s still available.
“They’re gonna try and go for it to a small degree this year, and then they held their draft ammo for this summer. We’ll see if they get back in the Giannis sweepstakes or do something bigger,” he added.
Porzingis isn’t Giannis, but he does give the Dubs a legit two-way big that fits their style. His addition will keep them dangerous on any given night.
Golden State clearly isn’t ready to tear it down while Steph is still playing at an elite level. However, they’re also reading the room in a stacked West and not mortgaging every asset for a slim shot.
If Porzingis stays healthy (Slater says he should be ready to go by Saturday), and meshes with Draymond and Curry, they could be that annoying playoff team nobody wants to see. And if not, this move still keeps the door cracked open for a true all-in swing when the next superstar shakes loose.
