NBA insider believes Warriors should make unthinkable Stephen Curry decision

After a 40-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday, the NBA insider Kevin O’Connor wrote that the Golden State Warriors are struggling and what they need to do to prepare for the future.

KOC urged the Warriors to “blow it up” and cited the 2013 Boston Celtics as an example of what can happen when a team trades their beloved stars for a brighter future. There’s no doubt that trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett worked for the Celtics, as the assets they received ended up being Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — two stars who led them to a championship last year. Still, the Warriors’ situation is different, which is why a Stephen Curry trade isn’t the best way forward.

One of the biggest differences between the Warriors now and the 2013 Celtics is that this core won four championships, not one. Trading Stephen Curry for a better future might be what an AI trading machine would suggest, but the sentiments that tie Curry to the Bay Area cannot be overlooked.

The Warriors need to adapt instead of blowing it up

That said, the Warriors are certainly not where they want to be to close out Curry’s career. In the last few seasons, they have not been able to challenge for a championship – they have barely been good enough to make it to the Play-In tournament. Something has to change.

KOC brought up the Warriors’ unwillingness to adapt and change as Curry and their core have aged. This is where the Warriors could make a lot of changes. The Warriors have always said they wanted to emulate the San Antonio Spurs dynasty. Unlike the Spurs, who adjusted their style of play and personnel as Tim Duncan aged, the Warriors haven’t really changed their style of play as the league has changed around them. Instead of trading Curry, the Warriors should look at other personnel and strategy changes that could give Curry one last shot at title contention.

If they don’t want to compete, trading Curry might be the best way to go

Warriors fans don’t want to trade Curry. Having Curry spend his entire career in Golden State like Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant did with their respective franchises is the ideal ending. But if the Warriors aren’t going to try to compete, letting Curry finish his career on a better team while saving tons of assets for the future might be the best move.

So the Warriors find themselves in a difficult position. They don’t want to trade their franchise savior and beloved legend. At the same time, they don’t seem too pressured to do everything in their power to give him the opportunity to compete for another title.

So maybe unlike the Spurs, who got Duncan one last championship in his final years, the Warriors end up looking like the late Kobe Lakers. Not the best result, but at least we didn’t have to see Curry in another team’s jersey.