NBA Free Agency 2017: One trade every team should make

May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after a three-pointer during the first half against the Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after a three-pointer during the first half against the Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 03: Dwyane Wade
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 03: Dwyane Wade /

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors just got finished dismantling a team led by the best player of this generation, who averaged a nearly-34-point triple-double in five games. Their margin of victory in the Finals was almost 14 points. So what do you get a team that has it all? Let’s go with a center that doesn’t elicit imagery like this:

This team is the measuring stick for the rest of the league in the NBA arm’s race, so they might as well keep raising the bar higher. As things stand now, the Warriors are the presumptive title favorites for the remainder of the decade. But things change pretty fast in the NBA. If you’re not getting better, then you’re moving backward.

Warriors Get
C, Clint Capela
Rockets Get
F, Kevon Looney

Kevon Looney represents a player brimming with upside, but it’s an upside that may never get realized in Golden State. Daryl Morey and the Rockets always have the long game in mind. Swapping Clint Capela for Looney gives them an extra year of a rookie contract while they try to reel in their next big fish.

Golden State gets their next pivot to hold down the middle and deter shots. Also, someone who’s an upgrade from their center tandem from this past season.